A receiving apparatus includes: a reception portion configured to receive audio-visual content being transmitted; a trigger extraction portion configured to extract trigger information for controlling an application program for execution either by the receiving apparatus proper or by an external device connected thereto in conjunction with the audio-visual content, the application program being transmitted along with the audio-visual content; an apparatus proper control portion configured such that if a command indicated by the extracted trigger information is destined for the receiving apparatus proper, the apparatus proper control portion controls performance of the application program in accordance with the command; and an external device processing portion configured such that if the command indicated by the extracted trigger information is destined for the external device, the external device processing portion transfers the command to the external device.