Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for automatically changing the broadcast channel for a mobile communication terminal adapted to receive digital multimedia broadcasts. The apparatus includes a memory unit for storing an adjacent area database and an area-wise broadcast channel database; a search unit for searching for broadcast channels and receiving broadcasts; and a control unit for determining the received field strength of at least one adjacent area frequency based on the adjacent area database during digital multimedia broadcast playback, and when a predetermined threshold is exceeded, determining that a movement into a corresponding adjacent area is occurring, the control unit controlling the search unit to search through broadcast channels of the adjacent area in the area-wise broadcast channel database to find a broadcast channel identical to a broadcast channel used for playback before the movement into the adjacent area.