Quality of service method and apparatus for received programs

Broadcast programs, e.g., for an audio information program, are divided into one or more segments and are broadcast to a receiver in packet format. The receiver captures the transmitted packets and reassembles the segments and the program for storage and subsequent output to the user. Segment quality of service is evaluated prior to output by ensuring that a minimum percent of packets per segment are usable, and by ensuring that no more than a maximum number of consecutive packets in the segment are unusable. Program quality of service is evaluated by ensuring that a minimum percent of segments per program are usable, and by determining if the first and/or last segment is usable. Different quality of service parameters are specified for particular programs. New quality of service parameters for particular programs are transmitted to the receiver.