A method and apparatus by which television service is provided to the home via a two-way fiber optic link. The television set transmits to the central office the channel or channels being watched. Information from all other available channels which are not being watched is constantly being buffered and up-dated at the television set location. The buffering can be performed using a bandwidth available on the optical fiber that is not being used for the one or two television channels being watched or for other uses. When a user changes channels, he is shown the buffered data for a limited time. When the buffer runs out, the home office is notified of the channel change and commences transmitting the newly selected channel in full.