Tumblr has officially launched Tumblr TV as a new tab at the top of its app, the company announced today in a brief update note, which was spotted by TechCrunch. Initially introduced as a GIF-finding feature in 2015, Tumblr TV now expands its offerings to include video content.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25842951/IMG_A7D350269C5C_1.jpeg "Tumblr TV Launches: A Decade in GIFs and Videos 2")
Screenshot: Tumblr TV
According to Tumblr, “New users will have this tab enabled by default in the third position, while existing users can access it in the Dashboard Tabs configuration, if not already enabled.”
Upon tapping the Tumblr TV tab, users will encounter a grid of videos and GIFs. Engaging with a video allows for liking, commenting, reposting, or sharing. Users can easily swipe up to explore additional content.
In my brief testing of Tumblr TV, I found it still maintains a strong emphasis on GIFs despite the integration of video and a swipe interface reminiscent of other popular short-form video apps.
While it might be tempting to draw comparisons between Tumblr TV and TikTok—especially given TikTok’s recent shutdown—currently, Tumblr TV feels more like scrolling through a group chat filled with GIFs than a direct competitor.
