A receiver which receives a multichannel signal and which detects and outputs an unscrambled desired signal to a video display and speaker unit includes a first unit, a second unit and a controller. The first unit comprises a frequency agile tuner for receiving said multichannel signal and for outputting a selected CATV signal. The a second unit includes a unit means for receiving the selected CATV channel signal; a unit for detecting whether the selected CATV channel signal is scrambled; and a descrambler for descrambling a scrambled CATV channel signal and for outputting a descrambled CATV channel signal. The controller controls the output of the receiver such that a signal is output from the first unit to said video display and speaker unit when the selected CATV signal is unscrambled and a signal is output from the second unit to the video display and speaker unit only when a scrambled signal is detected. The content of the selected CATV channel signal controls the operation of the second unit.