Meta seems to always exploring new ideas and discoveries. It is at it again with the new Instagram TV app that allows you to view Reels on a large screen is being tested by Meta. This was announced yesterday, on Tuesday, the app will launch as a pilot for US Amazon Fire TV devices.
The Reels-focused app’s home screen will display a number of customised, horizontal video collections for browsing. When you click on a thumbnail, the entire portrait video, a caption, and statistics like likes and shares appear on one side of the panel. The next video swipes up from the bottom of the screen, just like with Reels on every phone.
Christine Pai, an Instagram representative, told members of the press that, users can watch Reels from the accounts they follow as well as popular and recommended content tailored to their interests.” Users will notice rows of Channels, which are Reels arranged by topic, theme, and/or trends, when they log in. Without looking for individual creators, channels make it simple to explore particular hobbies like sports, culinary, music, or seasonal events. While some channels showcase popular content on Instagram, others are tailored according on their activities.
Instagram further stated that in a blog post that users can find their favourite creators, browse profiles centred on Reels, and explore anything they are interested in” via the TV app’s search feature. To “allow everyone in their home to enjoy a personalised way to watch Reels,” the TV app allows them to log into up to five accounts. Instagram may eventually include features like “a more intuitive way to channel surf” and the ability to use a phone as a control.
According to the Instagram representative, Pai, the app will work with “most Fire TV Stick devices like (HD, 4K, 4K Plus, 4K Max 1st/2nd Gen) and Fire TV Series 2 and 4-Series and Omni TVs like (Omni and Omni QLED Series)” when it first launches in the US. Users should be aware that it is currently exclusive to Amazon Fire TV devices. She further stated that the business plans to expand to more devices such as Roku or Apple TV and countries in the coming days, preferably in 2026 since the 2025 is ending in matter of days, according to the blog post, as Instagram learns from the pilot.
When it comes to introducing vertical short-form video to television, Instagram is a few years behind YouTube. However, with TikTok allegedly developing a TV app, Netflix expanding its investment in creator-led series and video podcasts, and YouTube introducing a Netflix-like redesign for its TV apps, the TV is beginning to become an increasingly significant battleground.
The key features in which users should expect when viewing the IG TV Reel are;
For Personalized and Customised Channels: Reels are arranged according to user behaviour into interest-based channels (such as sports, humour, travel, and music).
For Autoplay Experience: After a reel is chosen, all subsequent videos play without the need for manual scrolling and with full sound.
For Multi-User Support: Up to five distinct accounts can be supported by a single TV app, giving family members access to their own customised feeds.
For Interactive Features: Reels, comments, and reactions are still visible on the TV screen.
For Social Connectivity: Future features include co-viewing feeds with pals and utilising a phone as a remote control.
To get this Initiated; users can follow this guide;
Turn on your Fire TV and navigate to the Amazon Appstore.
Look out for the Instagram for TV app and then download it.
If you would rather not link your personal profile, create a new “TV-only” account or log in with your Instagram credentials.
Users have the option to control the TV configuration using the Instagram mobile app’s “Settings and activity” section.
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