Well, the screen display when the channel is changed only lasts a few seconds, but can be speeded away (providing you have the same remote I do - RCA with pinkish and purplish buttons - who the HECK thought up the color scheme for that remote?? :-/ ) by pressing the purple button under the 'go back' button twice. I don't think there's any way to make it permanently go away.
As to 'deleting channels', two options...call DirecTV and ask them if you can have channels deleted by them or program via your remote your favorite channels. That way you don't have to wade through what you don't want.
Personally, I just memorized my favorites. I've got about 20 that I like well enough to know which ones they are by heart.
