Abstract: When switching a content playback, it is possible to easily judge that switching has been performed. Switching source content metadata acquisition means and switching destination content metadata acquisition means acquire the metadata on the switching source content currently displayed and the metadata on the switching destination content to be displayed next from a metadata storage unit (31), respectively. Display effect decision means references a display effect table stored in a display effect storage unit and selects a display effect according to a combination of the metadata for the switching source content and the metadata for the switching destination content. Display effect insert means calls a switching destination content from the content storage unit, changes an image of the switching destination content according to the display effect decided by the display effect decision means, and outputs the image to an output device. The output device displays the image.