This technique relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, a providing device, a providing method, programs, and a broadcasting system that can control operations of external devices connected to the receiving device in synchronization with progress of a show being received.When the application control type in an application control descriptor is 2, the receiving device receives command information contained in a digital broadcast signal, and acquires and starts a new information service application and the like in accordance with the received command information. When an external device is designated as the command destination device, the receiving device generates a command for the external device, and outputs the command to the external device. In accordance with the command from the receiving device, the external device acquires and starts the new information service application and the like. This disclosure can be applied not only to controlling the receiving device from the broadcasting side, but also to controlling external devices connected to the receiving device.