Twitch is testing channel surfing

Twitch is testing channel surfing

Twitch is testing a new way to discover new channels that reminds me of the good old days of channel surfing on my TV. The experiment, which it calls Channel Switcher, lets you easily flip through previews of a bunch of different streams to help you find something to watch. And perhaps the best part is that you won't see ads while using it.

You can get an idea of ​​how it works from this tweet from Twitch:

On Twitch right now, if you don't already know what you want to watch, it can be hard to find something new that you really want to tune into. Personally, my rundown is to check the homepage, scan the sidebar of the people I follow, which is live, click into an individual game or category to browse, or navigate directly to the streamer's account. Do it.

But, if I want to move on from a stream I'm already watching, my best options are to click on another followed account or recommendation on the sidebar, or go back to Twitch's Browse section. That latter option is not my favorite, as I often run into choice paralysis.

Channel Switcher looks like it would be a fast way to watch a lot of different streamers. According to Twitch spokesperson Ashton Williams, you'll be able to see a 60-second preview of a stream before deciding to click through or watch another channel.

Looks like only a lucky few will be able to try out Channel Switcher at this point in time. Williams says that "only a small percentage of users who log in" currently have access, and those who do get it have been chosen at random. The experiment will be kicked off in mid-July so the company can analyze test results, but Williams noted that Twitch plans to work on future iterations and may offer an opt-in version of the feature.

Channel Switcher is one of several updates to Twitch announced Thursday, including a new tool that makes it easier for streamers to add guests to their streams called Guest Stars and the ability to create their own tags.