Instagram for TV Arrives on Samsung Smart TVs in the US
For years, scrolling through Instagram has been an intimate, mobile-first experience. But Meta is ready to move the platform from the palm of your hand to the center of your living room.
As of late June 2026, Instagram for TV has officially launched on Samsung Smart TVs in the United States, allowing users to watch Reels and Stories on the biggest screen in the house.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what this expansion means for your viewing experience and where the platform is heading next.
Expanding the Connected TV Experience
Instagram's push into the connected TV market isn't entirely new. The company first launched a revamped TV app for Amazon Fire devices in December 2025 and expanded to Google TV in February 2026.
By bringing the app to Samsung Smart TVs (specifically 2020 models and newer), Meta has successfully positioned Instagram on the three largest connected TV platforms in the US. The overarching goal is clear: transform short-form video consumption from a solo activity into a shared, social experience with family and friends.
What You Can Watch Right Now
If you download the Instagram app on your compatible Samsung TV, here is what you can expect out of the box:
Stories on the Big Screen: You can now watch the time-limited Stories from your friends and favorite creators directly on your television.
Interest-Based Reels Channels: Instead of just throwing you into a highly personalized algorithm that might not make sense for a group setting, the TV app groups Reels into dedicated channels based on topics like comedy, music, sports, and travel.
Multi-Account Support: The app allows up to five accounts to log in, making it easy for different household members to switch to their customized feeds and recommendations.
Testing the Future of Social TV
More significant than the current features is what Meta is testing and building for the future. The company is experimenting with several additions designed specifically for television audiences:
1. Phone-to-TV Casting
Instagram is testing the ability to cast Reels and videos directly from your mobile phone or your "Saved" tab to the TV. This makes it incredibly easy to quickly throw a funny or informative video up on the big screen without having to navigate through the TV interface with a remote.
2. A Dedicated Horizontal Video Hub
While Instagram was built on vertical video, the company is testing a dedicated home for horizontal content. This will give creators a way to produce widescreen-friendly videos that are naturally optimized for televisions and computer monitors.
3. Episodic Series and Long-Form Content
Meta is exploring longer-form video formats, encouraging creators to produce "episodic series." This feature would group sequential video episodes together into a dedicated hub, bridging the gap between quick social media hits and traditional television microdramas.
4. Livestreams in the Living Room
Instagram is also working on bringing Live creator broadcasts to televisions. This would allow viewers to tune into their favorite influencers' live streams on a much larger display, opening the door for new in-broadcast interactions.
The Verdict
With platforms like TikTok and YouTube already pushing for living room dominance, Instagram's aggressive expansion into connected TVs is a strategic move to capture shared viewing attention. Whether users will fully embrace watching mobile-first content on a 65-inch screen remains to be seen, but the shift toward longer, episodic storytelling suggests that Instagram is preparing for a major evolution in how we consume social media.
