Metadata for media content items is received. The metadata identifies a thumbnail representation of the media content items. At least some of media content items are displayed in an overview area in an EPG of a user interface. The overview area includes cells aligned in one or more rows. The cells include a subset of the metadata for a respective media content item. The subset of the metadata includes the thumbnail representations of media content items. A first media content item is displayed in a focus area in the EPG of the user interface. The focus area includes expanded metadata having a sample of the first media content item that is played as an underlay of a display of at least some other metadata of the first media content item such that playback is presented underneath the display of the other metadata of the first media content item.