Meta Introduces Broadcast Tool Channels on WhatsApp

Facebook's Meta logo sign is seen at the company headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. on Oct. 28, 2021. (AP)
Facebook's Meta logo sign is seen at the company headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. on Oct. 28, 2021. (AP)
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Meta Introduces Broadcast Tool Channels on WhatsApp

Facebook's Meta logo sign is seen at the company headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. on Oct. 28, 2021. (AP)
Facebook's Meta logo sign is seen at the company headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. on Oct. 28, 2021. (AP)

Meta Platforms on Thursday introduced WhatsApp Channels, a feature that the social media giant said would help make the app a "private broadcast messaging product."

Users in Colombia and Singapore will be the first to receive access to Channels. Over the coming months, Meta will expand the availability of the tool for users in more countries, it said.

The company said users will be able to follow content on their hobbies, sports teams, updates from local officials and others. Reuters reported.

Profile photos and contact information of the channel admin would not be visible to followers. Similarly, followers will not have their phone numbers revealed.

Global launch partners for the feature will include the World Health Organization, FC Barcelona and Manchester City.



Getty Images and Shutterstock to Merge, Forming $3.7 billion Stock Image Giant

Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
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Getty Images and Shutterstock to Merge, Forming $3.7 billion Stock Image Giant

Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Getty Images said on Tuesday it will merge with rival Shutterstock to create a $3.7 billion stock image powerhouse in a deal that would help the companies navigate the AI era, but likely attract antitrust scrutiny.

Shutterstock's shares were up 9.9% in premarket trading, while shares of Getty Images were up 18.7%, according to Reuters.

The combined company will be named Getty Images Holdings Inc and will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GETY".

At close, Getty Images' CEO, Craig Peters, will serve as CEO of the combined company.

Getty competes with Reuters and the Associated Press in providing photos and videos for editorial use.