A method for switching a channel of an image display device and an apparatus adopting the method are disclosed. The method for switching a channel includes switching a currently displayed channel to a major channel, which is adjacent to the currently displayed channel, if a channel switch command is input using a first direction key, and switching the currently displayed channel to a minor channel, which is adjacent to the currently displayed channel, if a channel switch command is input using a second direction key. Accordingly, a user can switch to a desired channel, thereby increasing user convenience, and a list of minor channels pertaining to a current channel is displayed, so that all channels provided by the broadcasting station of the current channel can be identified.