An arrangement is provided in which a mobile media rendering device such as a video-enabled mobile phone utilizes a graphical user interface (“GUI”) to inform its user as to whether a remote recorder, such as a digital video recorder (“DVR”) disposed in a set top box (“STB”), is recording a media program, such as a television show or movie, that is being simulcast to both the mobile phone and the remote recorder. A service verifies that the mobile phone and STB are associated with a valid service subscription. If so verified, then the service sends a control signal over a network to the STB to activate the DVR to record the selected simulcast media program. Various icons on the GUI are provided to let the user know that the DVR is recording the selected simulcast media program to long term storage, for example, or to indicate that the DVR is recording the program to more temporary storage. Or, if there is an issue that prevents the DVR from recording the selected simulcast media program then that is brought to the user's attention using a different icon displayed on the GUI.