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

The feature lets creators and public figures share one-to-many messages to directly engage 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.

According to TechCrunch, creators and public figures can use the broadcast channels to share updates with their followers and also share behind-the-scenes moments. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives at the company have been using broadcast channels to share updates about feature and product releases.

Meta posted on its Newsroom a post titled: “Introducing Broadcast Channels on Facebook and Messenger” From the Newsroom:

Today, Mark Zuckerberg announced we’re bringing broadcast channels to Facebook and Messenger. Broadcast channels are a public, one-to-many messaging tool for Pages on Facebook and are the latest addition to Facebook’s robust set of tools that Page admins such as creators and public figures can use to directly reach and further engage with their communities.

Broadcast channels also give a place for followers to feel even more connected and dive deeper on the things that matter most to them. Admins of Pages can use broadcast channel features like polls to get instant feedback from their community, send behind the scenes photos or videos, and use voice notes for more authentic expression.

We’re currently testing the ability for Pages to create broadcast channels and expect to roll this out in the coming weeks. Anyone on Facebook can join these broadcast channels to stay up to date on the latest from their favorite Pages…

…Safety and Privacy

Broadcast channels are subject to Facebook’s and Messenger’s Community Standards so people can feel safe being part of them. People can report both a broadcast channel itself or specific content shared in the channel, which can be removed if it goes against our policies.

Broadcast channels are also public and discoverable chat experiences, so they’re treated differently than private messaging on Facebook and Messenger. We have tools and reviewers to help us identify, review and remove content in broadcast channels that may violate our Community Standards – often before anyone sees it.

The Verge reported that Meta’s “broadcast channels,” previously available for Instagram and WhatsApp, will be coming to Facebook and Messenger “in the coming weeks”. CEO Mark Zuckerberg also shared the news in a post from his personal Facebook account.

Broadcast channels function a bit like giant but limited group chats. A creator can invite their followers and then blast things like voice notes, polls, text posts, videos, and photos to anyone who joins. Channel members receive notifications whenever the creator drops content.

Specifically, these channels will be available for Pages on Facebook, and they’re in testing now. Those who manage the official page for a celebrity or company, for example, will be able to start a channel directly from the page. Those who wish to join a broadcast channel will be able to do so directly from any specific page.

In my opinion, this new feature (whenever it rolls out) could be interesting to people who use Facebook or Messenger to keep in touch with celebrities and public figures. I wonder how many politicians will start a broadcast channel.