To provide a contents distribution system, method and the like, wherein even a node apparatus with a small storage capacity, such as in the case of a set-top box, can function as a root node apparatus in a P2P type of contents distribution system having a plurality of node apparatus disposed dispersed in a network by a DHT (Distributed Hash Table), or the like. A node apparatus includes a distribution source information storage section having a management information storage area storing first position information, which is position information of a management subject contents holding node apparatus holding contents data which are a subject of management, and an extension management information storage area storing second position information, which is position information of a node apparatus holding position information of the management subject contents holding node apparatus. Then, in the event that it is determined that a message received via a network is a request addressed to the node apparatus itself for a transmission of contents data distribution source information, the node apparatus selects the first position information or the second position information from the distribution source information storage section.