Customized zapping

Apparatus for displaying a customized video sequence during a channel change interval, said device comprising:

• means for displaying a first channel, a video sequence during said channel change interval and a second channel;
• means for receiving a channel change request from a user requesting a second channel for display;
• wherein said means for displaying a video sequence during said channel change interval is further for displaying a black screen with no audio and no video for a short duration;
• for playing out a first video portion of a customized video sequence relevant to said second channel until an end point of said first video portion signaled in metadata provided by a television operator;
• for playing out a second video portion of said customized video sequence relevant to said second channel until said second channel is ready to be displayed;
• and for repetitively playing out said second video portion when an end point of said second video portion signaled in said metadata is reached and until said second channel is ready to be displayed.

A receiving device operable to display a customized video sequence during a channel change interval, said device comprising:

• a display device operable to display a first channel, a video sequence during said channel change interval and a second channel;
• a receiver operable to receive a channel change request from a user requesting a second channel for display;
• wherein said display device operable to display a video sequence during said channel change interval is further operable to display a black screen with no audio and no video for a short duration;
• to play out a first video portion of a customized video sequence relevant to said second channel until an end point of said first video portion signaled in metadata provided by a television operator;
• to play out a second video portion of said customized video sequence relevant to said second channel until said second channel is ready to be displayed;
• and to repetitively play out said second video portion when an end point of said second video portion signaled in said metadata is reached and until said second channel is ready to be displayed.