A system for converting TV content to an interactive TV game program uses viewer input pointing to “hot spot” objects in TV programs to enter answers in the game program. Viewers can point to hot spot objects whose locations are mapped in the image display frames of a TV program using a standard remote control and TV set-top box. In a preferred embodiment, the interactive TV game program is a crossword puzzle game offered through the TV's electronic program guide (EPG). Correct answers to the crossword puzzle clues can be entered by linkages from corresponding hot spot objects found in TV movies, ads, video spots, and other types of TV programs on the TV channels. Upon finding a hot spot object that corresponds to a correct answer, the viewer can use the directional arrow keys and “Select” or “Enter” key of the remote control to “click” on the object in the image display frame, and the corresponding answer is entered in the crossword puzzle being played, such as by changing transparent text overlaid on the grid of the crossword puzzle to a darkened color on the viewer's TV display, thus fixing the answer in the crossword puzzle. The viewer can enable “clue helpers” such as on-screen prompts or highlighting of clue answers to facilitate play. A viewer who does not use “clue helpers” may receive a higher score for each clue answer correctly found. Upon successful completion of the crossword puzzle, an “Award Page” can be displayed offering viewers prizes, premiums or other information.
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