In a receiver arranged to receive a multiple channel broadcast or multiple channel content delivery streaming service, a method of alerting a user of the receiver to events of interest occurring on channels other than the currently tuned channel, comprising:
- receiving data comprising at least one regular audio or video program channel, decoding and playing the content of said regular channel to a user;
- receiving data comprising at least one alert supported audio or video program channel, and metadata associated with said at least one alert supported program channel, said metadata comprising information regarding a key event;
- decoding and buffering the content of said at least one alert supported channel in a buffer so that it can be played back to a user with a time delay;
- decoding the metadata of said at least one alert supported channel and generating at least one of a visual and audible alert relating to the key event for each alert supported channel.