a real time preference channel grouping apparatus and method are disclosed . the apparatus receives a preference channel grouping setting signal , a display demand signal , and a group selection signal , stores user selection - guide information according to the preference channel grouping setting signal and the display demand signal , processes a received signal and the user selection - guide information to display on display device , and groups preference channels according to the signal of the key input unit and allows the preference channels and the user selection - guide information to be concurrently displayed . thus , the user can perform real time grouping for channels to watch for each desired time and easily retrieve only the grouped channels , and hence it is possible to reduce the time for selecting favorite channels .