Meta launches full-length series on Instagram
Instagram is entering the smart TV market (photo: Pexels)
Instagram is actively rolling out a major update to its branded TV application, aiming to secure a place on users’ television screens, according to Engadget.
While the social network previously competed mainly with TikTok and YouTube in the mobile segment, its ambitions are now extending into the territory of major streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
New content formats and expansion to Samsung TVs
The launch of new experimental formats is directly linked to recent tests by its parent company, Meta, which is introducing a “Series” feature for Reels on Instagram and Facebook.
The tool is designed to make it easier to follow and watch multi-episode content.
At the same time, Meta announced the official release of its TV app for Samsung televisions. Previously, the app had already become available for users of Amazon Fire TV and Google TV devices, and now it will cover another major category of smart TV owners.
Channels, phone casting, and horizontal mode
To improve the user experience on the big screen, the TV app has received several major interface updates:
Personalized channels: When launching the app, users will see themed feeds (humor, sports, specific bloggers) tailored to their interests. The developers say this will make shared viewing with family or friends easier.
Horizontal mode: Engineers are testing a dedicated section for landscape videos, laying the groundwork for full-length shows and series.
Expanded Stories support: TV users can now natively watch Stories, whereas previously the app was limited to Reels playback only.
In addition, the update simplifies cross-device interaction. Users now have wireless casting: any video from the “Saved” tab or the main Reels feed can be instantly sent from a smartphone directly to the TV screen with one click.
