In Harvest Moon: DS there are 9 "Channels" to access. Each of the channels serves a different purpose. In the very beginning of the game the only channels that you start out with are 1 (Weather) and 8 (Tutorials). To unlock the other channels, you have to meet certain requirements. Each channel is run by a Sprite Operator. They are each nemed after a planet. Ch.1 is run by Mercury, Ch.2 is run by Venus, Ch.4 is run by Earth, and so on.