Abstract: A method of automatic control of a digital television decoder operation uses an Electronic Program Guide system. When a program, from a control list created earlier by a user by selecting specific programs, starts, a decoder changes its operation mode from a sleep mode to an active mode. In the active mode the user can watch only the programs located on the list, and after the program from the list ends, and in case there are no other available programs on the list, the decoder changes its operation mode to the sleep mode. At each time when a new program from the list starts, the decoder generates an information signal. In the described solution there are available many lists controlling the operation of the decoder. The lists are created by the user or set by an operator, and the user chooses which of the lists should control the operation of the decoder.