Instagram has launched its TV app on Samsung smart TVs in the United States, bringing reels and stories to the big screen. The app, which first debuted on Amazon Fire TV in December and expanded to Google TV in February, organizes reels into topic-based channels like music, sports, and travel. Users can now watch stories from friends and creators on their television as well.
New features in testing
Instagram is also testing two additional features aimed at making content discovery and sharing easier. One allows users to cast reels or saved videos from their phone to the TV, complementing the app's existing channel-based browsing. The other is a dedicated home for horizontal videos, designed for content that works better on larger screens than on phones.
Future plans for TV viewing
The company is exploring longer-form content, including episodic series and livestreams, specifically for TV. Instagram stated it is working closely with creators to understand what formats work best on television and how these experiences can enhance the way people already use the platform.