A connection section 112 is connected to a client apparatus through a network. A service providing unit provides a service of reception/distribution of a digital broadcast in accordance with a service providing request supplied from the client apparatus. A client information storage section 116 stores therein information associated with the client apparatus connected to the connection section 112. When the service providing request is supplied from a second client apparatus while the service providing unit provides an exclusive service to a first client apparatus, a client information presentation section 110 presents information associated with at least one client apparatus to the other client apparatus. An arbitration section 114 causes at least one of the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus to select whether or not to stop the service for the first client apparatus and to start the provision of the service to the second client apparatus.