Implementations of the disclosure describe systems and methods for triggering user notifications of media content items. It is determined that a plurality of media content items has a value of an interest metric exceeding a defined threshold value. The plurality of media content items are represented by a list of media content items compiled based on a pre-defined criterion. The interest metric reflects interest of a user to the plurality of media content items. The plurality of media content items is provided by a content channel that has not been subscribed to by the user. Among the plurality of media content items, a media content item that has not been consumed by the user is selected. A notification is provided to a device employed by the user to notify the user of the media content item.