Interactive user interface for television applications

A method, comprising:

• causing a display of (i) an interactive menu through which content items that are organized into a plurality of categories are displayed in ticker fashion and interactive services are accessed, the ticker fashion including a passive mode, in which first content items of a first category in the plurality of categories are displayed in a time-rotating sequence independent of any selection operations by a viewer and followed by display of second content items of a second category in the plurality of categories, and an active mode, in which one or more of the content items of a particular category in the plurality of categories are displayed in a different time-rotating sequence that depends on selection operations by the viewer, and (ii) programming.

An apparatus comprising:

• a terminal configured to:
• cause a simultaneous display of (i) an interactive menu through which content items that are organized into a plurality of categories are displayed in ticker fashion and interactive services are accessed, the ticker fashion including a passive mode, in which first content items of a first category in the plurality of categories are displayed in a time-rotating sequence independent of any selection operations by a viewer and followed by display of second content items of a second category in the plurality of categories, and an active mode, in which one or more of the content items of a particular category in the plurality of categories are displayed in a different time-rotating sequence that depends on selection operations by the viewer, and (ii) programming.