implemented as part of a television set together with the television display or in any consumer electronics device normally connected to a television display such as a cable box vcr satellite receiver c band or direct satellite or stand alone electronic television program schedule device the television receiver includes an electronic television tuner 15 that is controlled by a microprocessor control 11 to tune one among many signals received on a multi channel input such a television antenna output satellite antenna output cable television signal or the like the microprocessor control operates with memory 13 the television receiver also includes a remote control 14 to allow the consumer to issue commands to the television receiver that are communicated from transmitter 24 to receiver 26 the remote control includes channel up down keys 28 a numeric keypad 30 and a favorite channel button 16 in alternative embodiments the television tuner 15 may be physically separated from the microprocessor control 11 and memory 13 an example of these alternative embodiments is where the microprocessor control 11 and memory 13 are located in a television set while the system uses a vcr or an external cable box as the electronic television tuner 15 in such alternative embodiments at least a one way communication link is established between the microprocessor control and the electronic television tuner such an rf or infrared link in a further alternative embodiment the microprocessor and memory may be located in remote control 14 while watching television if the consumer is watching a channel that the consumer wants to designate as a u201c favorite u201d channel the consumer presses and holds the favorite channel button until an icon 18 appears.