Instagram update brings you live events around the world

FOMO is very real, and Instagram’s new update wants to solve the problem: if you’re in the US, you can now watch clips of live events taking place around the world.

No one wants to miss out on cool events whether it’s a Chet Faker concert or a Blue Jays game. In fact, the fear of missing out is so great that live streaming is now becoming the norm in social media, and Instagram is no exception. With its Event Channels, you can now watch live events across the globe.

Facebook first introduced its live-streaming feature last year, and it’s been hugely beneficial, in my opinion. It’s enabled users to virtually experience events like Lollapalooza for free, something that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars. And it’s mobilized the world to see and act against the injustices in our society.

Instagram’s update will introduce the all new Event Channels on your Explore tab. Currently, it’s only available in the US, but Instagram will gradually expand the service across the world. According to Instagram, the newly-added channel will aggregate the best videos of live events around the world, so you can watch them wherever you are.

This channel collects the best videos from concerts, sporting events and more so you can feel like you’re in the front row. Like the rest of Explore, this new channel is personalized for you and highlights events you might like.

In other words, you will be seeing video clips taken by other Instagram users at those events. So the video quality may not be the best, and the audio might not be ideal. But hey, if Instagram’s main goal is to give you a real sense that you are at these events, then perhaps this is exactly what we need.

If you’re in the US and have already used the Event Channels, let us know your initial impression by commenting below!