While a user is viewing a video content, a channel zapping operation prediction section (203) predicts a channel zapping operation that will be conducted next by the user based on a history of channel zapping operations by the user. A viewing target prediction section (205) refers to a contents map that is retained by a contents map retain section (204) and that describes contents in a sequential order in which the contents are switched based on a user operation information (121), and predicts a content that will be viewed next by the user from the channel zapping operation predicted by the channel zapping operation prediction section (203). A read-ahead execution section (206) conducts a read-ahead on the predicted content.