There’s an exciting new approach to enjoy YouTube: by channel surfing like a nostalgic viewer with cable TV. This inventive concept originates from London developer Steven Irby, who has recently unveiled a web app named Channel Surfer, which displays captivating YouTube videos in an interface that mimics a vintage TV guide.
Within the app, you can explore various topic-centric channels and click to tune in as if you were watching live television.
At its debut, there are 40 custom-made “channels” available, covering broad topics such as news, politics, sports, and lifestyle content, alongside a variety of music channels and those focused on technology.
The tech-oriented group features channels such as “AI & ML,” “Code & Dev,” “Space,” “Retro Tech,” “Tech & Gadgets,” and “Gaming.”
As you navigate through channels, you join the video currently playing in the middle of its stream. At the same time, the guide keeps you updated on upcoming content across all channels and the scheduled times for viewing. You can also scroll forward to see programming scheduled for the next 24 hours.
This creates a viewing experience similar to that of traditional live television — an approach that has gained popularity on free streaming platforms like Plex, Pluto TV, Tubi, and others, which feature live channels offering TV shows and movies. YouTube, for its part, remains the leader in TV streaming within the U.S.
Additionally, a small counter at the bottom of the screen shows how many other users are currently watching YouTube alongside you.
Irby mentions that he developed this concept to recreate a similar experience at the streamers, but specifically for YouTube videos, considering that discovering something appealing to watch can still be challenging.
“I created Channel Surfer because I’m weary of the algorithms and decision fatigue,” Irby remarked to TechCrunch. “I long for the days of channel surfing without the pressure of choosing what to watch. I want to relax and watch what’s on without contemplating what to select next.”
“My boomer Mom is a cable TV viewer. I desire the same experience but with my YouTube channels. Additionally, it’s oddly comforting to realize I’m watching alongside other viewers,” he expressed.
This initiative is part of Irby’s series of fresh experiments, as he is a 40-year-old tech industry expert who has spent the last decade traveling globally.
“I have an abundance of creativity arising from my long and eclectic journey. I can’t tolerate the notion of being a Jira ticket worker any longer,” he stated.
The app appears to be quite popular, with Irby noting that Channel Surfer’s newly launched website attracted over 10,000 views on its debut day.
Behind the scenes, Channel Surfer is currently a static Next.js site utilizing PartyKit and is hosted on Cloudflare. The channels and music it provides are selected by Irby himself. GitHub Actions runs a script that updates the data daily. There’s no existing back end yet.
And while Claude aided in the coding process, Irby emphasizes that the site is not “vibe-coded.”
The channels essentially feature YouTube embeds, inclusive of YouTube’s ads, so the app should comply with policy. Eventually, Irby hopes to extend the app to TV platforms like Fire TV, Google TV, and others. (It is also compatible with mobile devices and tablets, though it requires further development.)
At launch, Channel Surfer is a complimentary service that grants access to 175 YouTube channels and 25 music playlists. However, by subscribing to Irby’s newsletter, users can import their own YouTube subscriptions into the app.
The process is straightforward: You drag a “Channel Surfer” bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar, open your YouTube subscriptions, and click the bookmarklet. The process starts, directing you back to the app where you paste the copied JSON text into a designated box and hit the “import” button. This integrates your channels into Channel Surfer’s current lineup, potentially adding hundreds more channels to view in this manner.
The site’s existence reflects the web’s earlier days, brimming with creative experiments and fun. For Irby, that’s the intention.
“I’m passionate about demonstrating that the old web is still thriving,” he claims. “It’s simply hidden beneath a pile of clutter.”