A method and an apparatus for spinning off a channel so as to provide a viewer with a choice of viewing a first program (e.g., the TV program), a second program (e.g., a news brief), or both are disclosed. More specifically, a method for providing such a choice entails initially having a system for transmitting programs wherein a first program is transmitted on a first channel (402,404,408) to a set of subscriber stations. Next, a temporary channel is defined (406,412,414). The transmission of the first program is continued on the temporary channel (414,416). The transmission of the first program is discontinued on the first channel. A second program is transmitted on the first channel (418). Advantageously, the invention provides viewers with a programming choice not otherwise available.