Channel Surfer Turns YouTube Into Retro Cable TV

London-based developer Steven Irby has launched Channel Surfer, a new web app that transforms the YouTube viewing experience into a retro, cable-style TV guide, eliminating the fatigue of modern algorithmic recommendations.

The Return of Channel Surfing

Channel Surfer mimics the old-school television experience by allowing users to browse through topic-focused channels. Much like traditional cable, you can tune in to a broadcast already in progress. The interface features a comprehensive guide that displays upcoming content for the next 24 hours across various categories, including news, politics, sports, lifestyle, music, and technology.

The platform currently offers a curated selection of 40 custom-built channels at launch. Tech enthusiasts can explore specific feeds such as “AI & ML,” “Code & Dev,” “Space,” “Retro Tech,” “Tech & Gadgets,” and “Gaming.”

Why Passive Viewing Matters

Irby developed the app to combat “indecision fatigue” caused by modern recommendation algorithms. By removing the pressure to choose what to watch next, the app mimics the comfort of traditional television. A counter at the bottom of the screen even shows how many other users are watching the same stream, adding a layer of communal experience to the digital interface.

“I built Channel Surfer because I’m tired of the algorithms and indecision fatigue,” Irby explained. “I miss channel surfing and not having to decide what to watch. I want to just sit and tune into what’s on.”

Technical Foundations and Future Plans

The app gained immediate traction, recording over 10,000 views on its first day. Currently, the project is a static Next.js site hosted on Cloudflare and powered by PartyKit. Data is updated daily via GitHub Actions, and while the site utilizes Claude for coding assistance, Irby maintains that the project is built with intention rather than “vibe-coding.”

Because the channels use YouTube embeds, they include standard YouTube ads, ensuring compliance with platform policies. Irby intends to expand the service to dedicated TV platforms like Google TV and Fire TV in the future.

Customizing Your Experience

While the base service includes 175 YouTube channels and 25 music playlists, users who subscribe to Irby’s newsletter gain the ability to import their own YouTube subscriptions. This is achieved via a bookmarklet that generates a JSON file, which can then be imported into the app to personalize the lineup further.

“I’m obsessed with showing the world that the old web is still alive and well,” says Irby. “It’s just buried under a mountain of slop.”