1. A system for providing program guide data that includes unique identifiers associated with programs, the system comprising: a continuous data stream processor configured to select a particular unique identifier associated with a particular program for inclusion in a continuous data stream; distribution equipment configured to distribute the particular unique identifier to user equipment in the continuous data stream when the particular program is currently being broadcasted; and an interactive program guide implemented on the user equipment configured to: monitor the continuous data stream for the presence of the particular unique identifier, wherein the presence of the particular unique identifier indicates when the particular program is being currently broadcasted; perform a real-time action associated with the particular program when the particular unique identifier is detected in the continuous data stream; and prefetch current program guide data from the continuous data stream when the real-time action is performed.