In a content retrieval device, a browser section generates a retrieval request for sub-content data to be retrieved presently. A protocol control section determines which communication path between a first communication path or a second communication path should be used prior to the reception of the sub-content data which is specified by the browser section. If the protocol control section determines that the first communication path is to be used, a first communication control section receives the sub-content data which is specified by the browser section from a content server. If the protocol control section determines that the second communication path is to be used, a second communication control section receives the sub-content data from the content server. In this way, the content retrieval device can select a suitable connection method prior to the reception of data.