Wiktionary
vb. (context US Canada idiomatic English) To redirect someone's attention.
Usage examples of "change the channel".
Maybe change the channel for a different running-bullshit accompaniment, but not cut off the images coming from that hotel.
She remembered thinking in her disorganized way that they should have put one of those signs on the screen from time to time, the ones that warned parents to put the kiddies to bed or change the channel.
Instead, the CBC received thousands of letters reporting unaccountable urges to get up and get a can of beer, to go to the bathroom, to change the channel -- not a single viewer correctly guessed the message.
Both groups are perfectly free to change the channel to PBS, C-Span, or whatever-or read a book!
Yamazaki attempted to change the channel, but the screen only strobed its limeandpurple, then framed a portrait of Shapely.