USER INTERFACE TECHNIQUES FOR TELEVISION CHANNEL CHANGES

An improved user premises device enhances the channel change experience. In response to a channel-up or a channel-down command, a currently displayed program is re-sized to fit within a smaller program window. In the display area that is exposed due to the re-sizing of the currently displayed program, additional content such as an advertisement or channel change progress information is displayed. Additional program windows that render snapshots of content from one or more program up and one or more program down may be displayed in windows that are organized in a vertical alignment with the program window of the currently displayed program. The program windows are animated or scrolled in a direction to bring the program window of the user-desired next program in place of the program window of the currently displayed programmed. The program window of the next program is then resized to occupy the entire display.