Instagram to get a TV app? Here’s what Adam Mosseri has to say

Instagram

Instagram is thinking about creating a TV app, which could let people watch Instagram videos on their televisions and compete more directly with YouTube. The app’s chief, Adam Mosseri, spoke about the idea on Thursday at the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles. He said the company is “exploring” it, but there’s nothing official yet.

Mosseri explained, “If people are moving to watch content on TV, then we need to move to TV too.” He also said Instagram wants to make sure its videos look good on all devices and admitted the company should have considered a TV app years ago. The plan would use Instagram’s current short vertical videos, called Reels, and Mosseri said the app won’t include live sports or other exclusive shows.

Instagram, which is owned by Meta, now has 3 billion monthly users. The app has changed a lot from being just about photos. Today, its main features are private messages, Stories, and Reels. Reels, short videos similar to TikTok, are now a big focus because Instagram wants to compete with TikTok.

Recently, Instagram made Reels easier to find by moving its icon to the main navigation bar. Its new iPad app even opens straight to Reels, and similar features are being tested in India. Instagram also launched a video editing app earlier this year to compete with TikTok’s CapCut.

Mosseri said India is an important market for Instagram’s growth, especially since TikTok is banned there. A TV app could help Instagram reach people in a new way and let users enjoy videos on a bigger screen.

While there’s no launch date yet, Instagram’s interest in a TV app shows how much the company is focusing on video and trying to reach more viewers beyond phones and tablets.