Imagine being able to get snaps from your bestie along with the morning news. Soon, it might be possible.
Snapchat is reportedly exploring the idea of launching a new feature for disappearing TV and movie clips, news articles, and — get ready to groan — advertisements. The self-destructing message app maker recently held talks with a number of media companies and advertisers about the service, dubbed Snapchat Discovery, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources briefed on the discussions.
Expected to arrive in November, Snapchat Discovery would let you read articles and watch video clips of TV shows and movies by holding down your finger on the screen, just like how you view a snap before it disappears. At least a dozen companies, including newspapers like The Daily Mail, television networks, and magazines, have considered providing content for the service.
Snapchat did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the report.
Users might not be thrilled with the idea of ads, but the offering could mean money in the bank for Snapchat and allow it to demonstrate its value to investors, the Journal pointed out. Some brands like Taco Bell and GrubHub already use Snapchat to reach users and offer deals, but Snapchat Discovery would likely be the first time paid promotions are displayed within the app.
Meanwhile, Snapchat has been busy adding other new features as of late. The company in May added text and video chats, and more recently debuted a feature called "Our Story," which lets you collaborate with other people on one central narrative.