[ad_1]
Meta is bringing its Telegram-like “Broadcast Channel” feature to Facebook and Messenger after introducing it to Instagram and WhatsApp earlier this year. The company announced today that the feature is coming to the two platforms in the coming weeks.
This feature lets creators and public figures share one-to-many messages to connect directly with their followers. Channels support text, images, polls, reactions, and more. With broadcast channels, only the creator of the channel can send messages, but viewers can react to messages and vote in polls.
Image Credit: meta
Creators and public figures can share updates and even behind-the-scenes moments with their followers using broadcast channels. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other company executives have been using broadcast channels to share updates about features and product releases.
Meta is currently testing the ability for Pages on Facebook to create broadcast channels, and is expected to launch in the coming weeks. Users who manage Pages on Facebook can start a channel directly from their Page, if the option is available. If it is not available to them yet, they can join the waiting list.
Once they create a broadcast channel and share their first message, their followers will receive a one-time prompt asking if they want to join. Users can join broadcast channels directly from the Page’s profile on Facebook, after which they will receive a notification every time a message is posted. Of course, you can mute these notifications, but you will still be in the channel. You can see the full list of your broadcast channels by looking at your chat list.
Image Credit:
Broadcast channels that are now live on Facebook and Messenger include Netflix, WWE, League of Legends and the International Cricket Committee.
Broadcast channels give creators and public figures a new way to update their followers within Meta’s family of apps. In the past, creators would typically create a story or post to share news and updates with their followers, but now they have the option to use a more direct way to connect with their fans.
When Meta first launched broadcast channels on Instagram in February, the company said it planned to bring the feature to all of its popular apps. Some people may welcome the new feature on Facebook and Messenger, but others not so much. On Zuckerberg’s Facebook post announcing the expansion, one of the top comments read: “I miss how unique each app used to be.” Some users may not see a need for the same feature across all of Meta’s apps. For example, if you’re in someone’s broadcast channel on Instagram, you probably don’t even need to be in their Facebook channel and receive another set of notifications.
