Meta to Launch Broadcast Channels Feature on Facebook and Messenger

Meta is bringing its Telegram-like “broadcast channels” feature to Facebook and Messenger after rolling it out to Instagram and WhatsApp earlier this year. The company announced today that the feature is coming to the two platforms in the coming weeks.

A New Way to Engage with Followers

The new feature allows creators and public figures to share one-to-many messages, enabling direct engagement with their followers. Text, images, polls, reactions, and more are supported on these channels. Only the creator of a channel can send messages, while viewers can react to messages and participate in polls.

Creators and public figures can leverage the broadcast channels to share updates with their followers and offer glimpses into their behind-the-scenes moments. Even Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and other executives have been utilizing broadcast channels to share news about feature and product releases.

Testing for Facebook Page Broadcast Channels Underway

Meta is currently testing the ability for Facebook Pages to create broadcast channels, with plans to launch this feature in the coming weeks. Page managers will be able to start a channel directly from their Page if the option is available to them. If not, they can join the waitlist until it becomes accessible.

Once a broadcast channel is created and the first message is shared, followers will receive a one-time prompt to join. Users can join directly from a Page’s profile on Facebook and will subsequently receive notifications for each new message. Although users can choose to mute these notifications, they will remain in the channel. Users can view all the broadcast channels they are part of by checking their chat list.

Popular Broadcast Channels Already Live

Some notable broadcast channels that have already gone live on Facebook and Messenger include Netflix, WWE, League of Legends, and the International Cricket Committee.

A New Approach to Engaging with Fans

Meta’s broadcast channels provide creators and public figures with a fresh method to connect with their followers across Meta’s family of apps. While in the past, creators typically relied on stories or posts to share news and updates, they now have the option to engage in a more direct manner.

Mixed Reactions to the Expansion

When Meta initially launched broadcast channels on Instagram in February, the company announced its plans to introduce the feature to all of its popular apps. While some users may welcome the expansion of this feature to Facebook and Messenger, others have expressed concerns about the lack of uniqueness across Meta’s apps. One comment on Zuckerberg’s Facebook post about the expansion reads: “I miss how each app used to be unique.” Some users may question the necessity of having the same feature on all of Meta’s apps, as being part of someone’s broadcast channel on Instagram may negate the need for involvement in their Facebook channel, resulting in multiple notifications.