MyRetroTVs offers a free online simulator that recreates the experience of flipping through TV channels from the 1950s to the early 2000s, complete with era-specific interfaces and random clips from shows, commercials, and news broadcasts.
Here’s the TL;DR…
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MyRetroTVs is a website that mimics old-school TV channel surfing across decades like the ’90s, ’80s, and more.
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Users interact with virtual TVs using knobs or remotes, flipping between random clips of classic content.
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It’s free to use, powered by YouTube videos, and includes static effects for that authentic retro feel.
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Recent updates keep it functional, with creator Joey Cato maintaining the site through community support.
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Perfect for reliving childhood TV without subscriptions, though video availability can vary due to platform changes.
What Exactly Does MyRetroTVs Let You Do on Its Website?
The platform drops you in front of a virtual television set tailored to a specific decade.
Pick the ’90s, for instance, and you’ll see a bulky CRT screen with remote buttons for channel up, down, volume, and power.
Click to surf, and it pulls up short clips from era-appropriate programming—think The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes, MTV music videos, or even forgotten infomercials.
Static fuzz appears between channels, just like on grandma’s old set.
How Has MyRetroTVs Evolved Since Its Early Days?
It started around 2019 as focused sites like My60sTV.com, but by 2022, creator Joey Cato unified them under MyRetroTVs.com with subdomains for each decade, such as 90s.myretrotvs.com.
Post-2022, the site gained traction on social media, with users sharing discoveries of rare clips.
In 2024, discussions on forums like Hacker News highlighted its reliance on YouTube embeds, which sometimes leads to broken links if videos get taken down.
Cato has tweaked the interface for smoother performance on modern devices.
Why Do People Keep Coming Back to Retro TV Simulators Like This One?
In an age of algorithm-driven streaming, MyRetroTVs taps into the thrill of unpredictability—you never know if you’ll land on a Seinfeld rerun or a vintage Coke ad.
Reddit threads from 2023 to 2025 show users praising it for late-night vibes, with one poster in r/nostalgia calling it a “time machine for insomniacs.”
The site’s donation button via Buy Me a Coffee helps cover hosting, as it’s ad-free and run solo.
What Kinds of Content Can You Expect When Channel Surfing on MyRetroTVs?
Clips span cartoons, sitcoms, news segments, and commercials pulled from public YouTube archives.
For the ’90s section, expect hits like Friends, The Simpsons, or boy band videos, mixed with lesser-known gems like local news bumps.
The random nature keeps it fresh—one session might feature X-Files teasers, while another dives into wrestling promos.
Volume controls let you mute if needed, and the power button resets the experience.
Has MyRetroTVs Faced Any Challenges or Changes in Recent Years?
YouTube’s content policies have occasionally disrupted video availability, as noted in 2024 TikTok reviews where users reported more static than shows on certain days.
Despite this, Cato updated the backend in 2025 to improve load times, per X posts from fans.
The site avoids modern ads, relying on word-of-mouth growth.
Engagement spiked in 2023 after viral shares, reaching over 50,000 views on a single X thread.
What Makes the ’90s Version of MyRetroTVs Stand Out for Millennials?
The 90s.myretrotvs.com subdomain nails the decade’s pop culture overload, from grunge-era ads to Saturday morning cartoons like Animaniacs.
It’s a hit with those born in the ’80s and ’90s, offering a break from binge-watching.
A 2025 Facebook post from Nerdist revisited the concept, confirming the URL shift and praising its enduring appeal amid streaming fatigue.
Are There Any Tips for Getting the Most Out of MyRetroTVs?
Start with a specific year, like 1995, to target peak content.
The site lets you dial in by year within decades.
Use headphones for full immersion, as audio cues like channel clicks add to the fun.
If a clip skips, refresh—it’s usually a YouTube hiccup.
Fans recommend late-night sessions for that authentic “nothing good on TV” irony.
How Can Users Support the Ongoing Development of MyRetroTVs?
Creator Joey Cato, active on Bluesky as @joeycato.bsky.social, welcomes donations through the site’s Buy Me a Coffee link.
Community feedback on X and Reddit has shaped updates, like adding more channels in 2023.
No major expansions announced for 2026 yet, but the site’s stability suggests it’ll stick around.
MyRetroTVs proves that sometimes the best entertainment comes from the past, blending tech with nostalgia to remind us why channel surfing once ruled living rooms.
As streaming services pile on choices, this simple simulator offers a refreshing escape, hinting that the future of TV might loop back to its roots.
Whether you’re introducing kids to ’90s gems or just zoning out, it’s a click away from reliving broadcast history.
Hat Tips
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Nerdist, Channel Surf Through Decades of Retro TV on This Fun Website, by Eric Diaz (accessed January 27, 2026)
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MyRetroTVs official site: https://90s.myretrotvs.com/
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Reddit r/InternetIsBeautiful thread: My Retro TVs – Tune in to the lost decades with these nostalgia TV simulators, March 2022
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Hacker News: Show HN: If YouTube had actual channels, August 14, 2024
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X post by @ronnieplonk: April 29, 2023
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TikTok by @dailycache: Experience 80s and 90s Nostalgia with My Retro TVs, 2024
*Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on January 27, 2026 for **Clownfi
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