Twitch is testing a new way to discover new channels that reminds me of the old days of browsing channels on my TV. The experience, which it calls Channel Switcher, allows you to easily navigate through previews of a range of different streams to help you find something to watch. And perhaps best of all, you won’t see ads while using it.
You can get an idea of how it works In this tweet from Twitch:
Now on Twitch, if you don’t already know what you want to watch, it can be hard to find something new that you might actually want to tune into. Personally, my menu is to check the homepage, clear the sidebar for people I follow, click an individual game or category to browse who’s live, or go directly to the player account.
But, if I want to jump from a stream I’m already watching, my best options are to click another account or recommendation followed by the sidebar or go back to the Browse section of Twitch. This last option is not my favourite, as I often experience paralysis of choice.
It looks like Channel Switcher would be a much faster way to check out many different broadcast programs. You’ll be able to watch a 60-second preview of the broadcast before having to click or watch another channel, according to Twitch spokesperson Ashton Williams.
It looks like only a lucky few will be able to try out Channel Switcher for now, though. Williams says that “only a small percentage of logged in users” currently have access, and those who do get it have been randomly selected. The experiment will be halted in mid-July until the company can analyze test results, but Williams notes that Twitch plans to work on future iterations and may offer an enableable version of the feature.
Channel Switcher is just one of several updates Twitch announced Thursday, including a new tool that makes it easier for operators to add guests to their streams called Star guest And the The ability to create your own tags.
