Try just using digital TV. I get like 20 channels on mine with just a coax cable hooked to a VCR!

But then I’m tied to “normal” tv channels saturated with ads, yeah?

That’s very much part of the experience you seem to crave /s

Maybe there is a FOSS self hosted solution for mixing good old tv ads into the mix!

Ersatz actually does allow you to do this. Its kinda neat to find old 80s and 90s commercials and mix them in with your 80s and 90s TV shows.