Disclosed are a method and system for accessing a television program and an application by an intelligent television. The method comprises the following steps: A: receiving a channel selection instruction of a user, and determining, according to the instruction, an index number corresponding to a channel selected by the user; B: searching for a program resource or an application corresponding to the determined index number according to a preset index table; and C: starting and displaying a found program resource or application. The system for accessing a television program and an application by an intelligent television in the present invention changes the channel management mode of traditional intelligent televisions, set top boxes or other systems, so that the television programs and the applications can be displayed at the same time and can be conveniently invoked, the user can conveniently perform switching between the programs and the applications without performing switching between the program channels and application interfaces, thereby reducing the operation complexity, simplifying operations, and helping the aged and children conveniently use the intelligent television.