Instagram pivots to longform video with new widescreen features

Mosseri previously resisted longer content, fearing it would erode the platform’s core mission of connecting friends. His concern centered on the passive nature of watching extended videos, which often replaces the active engagement of liking and sharing photos or carousels. The company now views longform content as a potential entry point for creators to build series that can be sliced into shorter, more shareable segments.

This initiative follows the quiet expansion of Instagram’s TV app, which has migrated from an Amazon Fire TV pilot to a broader presence on Google, Samsung, and Apple TV devices. The platform is currently testing these new video capabilities with select creators in the United States and Brazil. Beyond widescreen support, spokesperson Megan Buckley confirmed the team is experimenting with series-based Reels and refined discovery tools for live broadcasts to keep users tethered to the app for longer durations.