Instagram Arrives on Samsung Smart TVs in the US

Ekhbary News Agency | May 15, 2024

Instagram, the popular social media platform owned by Meta, has officially launched its application on Samsung Smart TVs in the United States, starting this Monday. This expansion allows viewers to browse social media content directly on their large screens, reducing the need to juggle between devices.

Enhanced Viewing Experience

The new feature, available on Samsung TV models from 2020 or newer, enables users to navigate through various Instagram content, including Stories, Reels, and Channels, on a bigger display. Already accessible on Amazon Fire TV and Google TV, this move aims to make it easier for people to watch content together. "Whether you're catching up on your favorite creators, laughing at reels with friends or discovering something new with family, Instagram for TV makes it easier to enjoy the videos you love on the biggest screen in the home," Instagram stated in a blog post. It's a game-changer for shared digital experiences.

Challenging YouTube's Dominance

Instagram is also testing additional features to broaden its TV offerings, such as a dedicated home for horizontal videos. This step could significantly encroach on YouTube's long-standing dominance in horizontal video content. Last year, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan noted that YouTube is viewed on TVs more than on mobile devices in the US, a trend corroborated by a Nielsen report showing YouTube's largest share of TV viewing among media companies. This strategic expansion underscores the intensifying battle among tech giants for dominance in the home entertainment sector. Future tests include long-form video, livestreams, and episodic series, alongside an option to cast Reels from phones to Samsung TVs.