Instagram : Welcome to IGTV

Instagram is getting serious about challenging the Big YouTube. Today, the company announced IGTV a new Television Channel, Instagram’s new initiative that lets users create standalone video channels for longform video.

Instagram hits 1 billion monthly users ! 

Instagram hits 1 billion monthly users, up from 800M in September #socialmedia #IGTV #Instagram pic.twitter.com/1tL5QJm79w

— Digital Discovery (@Digital_dis) 21 juin 2018

“Today, we have two big announcements to share. First, Instagram is now a global community of one billion! Since our launch in 2010, we’ve watched with amazement as the community has flourished and grown. This is a major accomplishment — so from all of us at Instagram, thank you!

Second, we’re announcing our most exciting feature to date: IGTV, a new app for watching long-form, vertical video from your favorite Instagram creators, like LaurDIY posting her newest project or King Bach sharing his latest comedy skit. While there’s a stand-alone IGTV app, you’ll also be able to watch from within the Instagram app so the entire community of one billion can use it from the very start.” by Instagram

 

Also like TeleVision, IGTV has channels. But, in IGTV, the creators are the channels. When you follow a creator on Instagram, their Instagram TV channel will show up for you to watch. Anyone can be a creator as like on Youtube — you can upload your own IGTV videos in the app or on the web to start your own channel.

There will be no ads on IGTV to start, Systrom said, but said it likely will in the future. He also noted creators are able to link out from IGTV channels, which can help them start monetizing $ their channels right away through brand partnerships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IGTV is coming to iOS and Android in the next few days, but in the meantime, you can watch some of these vertical videos starting today in the Instagram app.

 

“Instagram has always been a place to connect with the people who inspire, educate and entertain you every day. With your help, IGTV begins a new chapter of video on Instagram. We hope it brings you closer to the people and things you love.”Kevin Systrom, Co-Founder & CEO