I agree with you, but sometimes some customer need bigger display, see simple bigger number. So you have 3 choice IMHO
  1. Care about everything with timer interrupt or else method...
  2. Use a dedicated PIC who will do only that and receive data via USART or SERIN blah blah (sefull when you still have those dusty 16C54 and ooooh HOW many others)
  3. Use dedicated ICs like those from national who work with a simple I2C bus