Andrew,
one thing I envision is the same scenario you have right now with Video button on the main menu. Use the maemo orbiter, the display does not get turned on, until after I have selected what I want to see. And I think, that is functionality that MIGHT be of interest for the TV as well. Maybe an option to show the channel list first and upon selecting the channel I want to view, the TV gets turned on.
rgds
Oliver