Apparatus and methods for providing reduced channel switching delays in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, switching delays are reduced by caching background content at reduced quality and/or resolution. A manager entity is provided which manages which, and how many, background channels are cached. Additionally, the manager entity may classify each device in the network according a status thereof. When a particular device is in one status or mode, background content is cached; however, when the device is in another status or mode, it will no longer require background content caching. The provision of background content and the determination of a status may be based on for example the user or device behavior and patterns, user preferences or favorites, bandwidth availability, time of day, subscription level, type of program, recentness of channel change requests on the device (or associated devices), etc.