{
  "id": 19364174,
  "title": "I discovered a free retro TV app built from the Internet Archive's forgotten VHS recordings, and I can't stop watching it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/i-discovered-a-free-retro-tv-app-built-from-the-internet-archives",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-10T16:30:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "XDA Developers",
    "slug": "xda-developers",
    "url": "https://www.xda-developers.com/i-discovered-free-tv-app-built-from-internet-archives-vhs-recordings-i-cant-stop-watching-it/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "I'm someone who loves the feeling of nostalgia, so when I discovered Splunkr, a streaming service that aims to recreate the atmosphere of old cable TV, I was immediately drawn to it. This entirely free app streams content that I watched as a child, reminiscent of Coax and similar apps, but with a unique twist: all its content comes from the Internet Archive, a nonprofit library known for preserving content not available elsewhere.\n\nWhen you select a channel, the player links directly to its source on the Internet Archive, which mostly consists of VCR-recorded VHS tapes uploaded to the digital library. The app uses an AI to regularly check each tape file, replacing any that go down quickly. Users can also report any unavailable content on the platform's Discord.\n\nSplunkr's unique selling point is its digital cable retro guide that resembles the late 1990s, along with short breaks between shows, typically featuring old-style cards and music. The content varies by channel, with options ranging from early 2000s cartoons like Sonic X and Pokémon to more peculiar selections such as Bobby G, Space Monkey, and a gorilla smoking a cigarette.\n\nThe app also includes music-focused channels like Radio-Active TV, which features MTV-like clips and ads, and Latchkey-TV, playing forgotten kid shows like Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers. There are even channels dedicated to classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons and old WWF wrestling, as well as educational computer software from the 90s and retro gaming channel G4.\n\nThe experience is oddly relaxing, as you stumble upon content without knowing exactly what you'll watch next, much like watching TV as a kid. The platform doesn't display ads and doesn't seem interested in monetization, operating purely for the love of retro content. Signing in requires a Discord account, which then shares your username, avatar, and email, allowing you to engage with the community and react to content in real time.\n\nDespite the platform's legality being questionable due to copyright concerns, Splunkr argues it's not hosting any copyrighted material but rather a fun retro TV guide. The creator, a lone individual, also mentions accepting donations to cover server bills. While not inherently legal, Spelunkr aims to provide a nostalgic, free streaming experience for retro TV enthusiasts.",
  "summary": "Spelunkr is a throwback to the old school era of cable.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}