A sending apparatus sends program information to which accompanying information is added with the program information and the accompanying information being suitable for sending. The sending apparatus contains a detection portion that detects the accompanying information, a separation portion that separates the accompanying information from the program information. The sending apparatus also contains a signal-processing portion that compresses and encodes the separated accompanying information and program information, respectively, and then packetizes the accompanying information and the program information, respectively, and a local area network interface for communication. The accompanying information and the program information are sent following separated data formats.