A method for controlling the operation of a plurality of consumer electronic devices, comprising: displaying a plurality of broadcast channel identifiers each corresponding to a broadcast channel in a display of a portable controlling device adapted to command at least channel tuning operations of the plurality of consumer electronic devices, wherein the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers is comprised of at least one broadcast identifier originating from a first one of a plurality of broadcast service providers and at least one broadcast identifier originating from a second one of a plurality of broadcast service providers different than the first one of the plurality of broadcast service providers; receiving a first input into the portable controlling device that functions to designate one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers; and using the first input to cause the portable controlling device to transmit a channel tuning command to thereby cause one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to tune to the broadcast channel corresponding to the designated broadcast channel identifier; wherein the portable controlling device uses one of a plurality of different communication protocols that is associated with the one of the plurality of broadcast service providers from which the designated one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers originates when transmitting the channel tuning command and wherein the plurality of broadcast service providers comprises at least two different broadcast service providers selected from service providers of a cable service provider type and/or a satellite service provider type. displaying a plurality of broadcast channel identifiers each corresponding to a broadcast channel in a display of a portable controlling device adapted to command at least channel tuning operations of the plurality of consumer electronic devices, wherein the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers is comprised of at least one broadcast identifier originating from a first one of a plurality of broadcast service providers and at least one broadcast identifier originating from a second one of a plurality of broadcast service providers different than the first one of the plurality of broadcast service providers; receiving a first input into the portable controlling device that functions to designate one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers; and using the first input to cause the portable controlling device to transmit a channel tuning command to thereby cause one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to tune to the broadcast channel corresponding to the designated broadcast channel identifier; wherein the portable controlling device uses one of a plurality of different communication protocols that is associated with the one of the plurality of broadcast service providers from which the designated one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers originates when transmitting the channel tuning command and wherein the plurality of broadcast service providers comprises at least two different broadcast service providers selected from service providers of a cable service provider type and/or a satellite service provider type.