IGTV, short for Instagram TV, was a standalone video application by Instagram for Android and iOS smartphones.[2] It allowed for longer videos compared to Instagram feeds. IGTV was available as a stand-alone app, though basic functionality was also available within the Instagram app and website.[3]

The service was launched and introduced by former Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom in a live event in San Francisco on June 20, 2018, featuring creators such as Lele Pons.[4]

On 1 March 2022 Instagram's parent company, Meta, announced the shutdown of IGTV, due to their focus on Instagram Reels. The app was removed from app stores in mid-March, and all IGTV videos were then merged into the Instagram app.[5]

Service

IGTV required users to login with an Instagram account. Mobile devices allowed uploads of up to 15 minutes in length with a file size of up to 650 MB, while desktop web browsers allowed uploads of up to 60 minutes in length with a file size of up to 3.6 GB.[6] The app auto-played videos as soon as it was launched, which Kevin Systrom contrasted to video hosts where one must first locate a video.[7][8][9]

Instagram accounts with an IGTV channel received an IGTV tab on their profile page. Additionally, uploads on IGTV could be mirrored to a linked Facebook page.

In May 2019, IGTV gained the ability to upload landscape videos.[10]

References

  1. ^ "IGTV on the App Store". Apple App Store. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  2. ^ "IGTV is sweet — but you probably don't need the dedicated app. Here's why". Digital Trends. 2018-07-24. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  3. ^ "How to use Instagram's new IGTV app". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  4. ^ "With IGTV, Instagram Takes Aim at YouTube". WIRED. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  5. ^ "Instagram is shutting down its standalone IGTV app". TechCrunch. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  6. ^ "What are the video upload requirements for IGTV? | Instagram Help Center". Instagram Help. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  7. ^ "Instagram announces IGTV, a standalone app for longer videos". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  8. ^ Rosney, Daniel (20 June 2018). "Instagram now allows 60-minute videos". BBC News. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Instagram launches IGTV app for creators, 1-hour video uploads". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  10. ^ "IGTV Now Supports Landscape Videos". Instagram. 2019-05-23. Archived from the original on 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2019-05-29.