Meta's Threads Launches Live Chats for Real-Time Conversations During NBA Playoffs
Meta-owned Threads has introduced Live Chats, enabling real-time discussions during cultural events, starting with the NBA Playoffs. Hosts including Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols and Da Kid Gowie will lead chats for up to 150 active participants. The feature includes moderation tools and plans for future updates like co-hosting and play-by-play integrations.
variety.comMeta-owned Threads announced the launch of Live Chats on Wednesday, enabling real-time conversations during cultural events, TechCrunch reported. Live Chats allow real-time conversations during cultural events, according to Meta. The feature is launching first within the NBA Threads community during the Playoffs.
Media personalities Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols and Da Kid Gowie will host Live Chats during NBA games. Meta is initially rolling out Live Chats to a small group of creators, TechCrunch reported. Up to 150 participants can actively send messages in a Live Chat.
Additional users can view the conversation in spectator mode once the 150 limit is reached. Additional users can react to messages in spectator mode. Additional users can participate in polls in spectator mode.
Users can send messages, photos, videos, links and emoji reactions in Live Chats, according to the source material. Users can join Live Chats from the top of a Community feed.
Users can join Live Chats by tapping the red live ring around a host’s profile photo. Live Chats remain open and publicly discoverable after they end, Meta stated. Threads automatically detects and takes down messages that violate its policies.
Hosts have real-time moderation controls in Live Chats. Hosts can demote users to spectator mode in Live Chats. Hosts can remove users from Live Chats. Meta plans to update Live Chats with co-hosting, the company said.
Meta plans to update Live Chats with real-time play-by-play updates. Meta plans to update Live Chats with lock screen widgets that highlight live chat activity. Meta plans to update Live Chats with the ability to quote and share chat messages directly to Threads feeds.
“It’s a new way to build community with others around shared interests like an album drop or a big game as it unfolds,” Meta explained in a blog post, as reported by TechCrunch. “Live Chats are an extension of what’s already happening on Threads — and a new way for creators and fans to connect over what matters to them in real time.
” The report came from TechCrunch consumer news reporter Aisha Malik.
When Threads launched, it did so without robust search. Threads launched without a chronological feed.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2026-04-22
Threads announced the launch of Live Chats on Wednesday.
1 sourceTechCrunch - 2026-04-22 onward
Live Chats launch first within the NBA Threads community during the Playoffs, hosted by Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols and Da Kid Gowie.
1 sourceTechCrunch - 2026-10-13 to 2026-10-15
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 occurs in San Francisco, CA, gathering 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders for three days of 250+ tactical sessions.
1 sourceTechCrunch - 2021
Aisha Malik joined TechCrunch as a consumer news reporter.
1 sourceTechCrunch - Pre-2021
Aisha Malik was a telecom reporter at MobileSyrup prior to joining TechCrunch.
1 sourceTechCrunch - Threads launch date (unspecified past)
Threads launched without robust search, hashtags, or a chronological feed.
1 sourceTechCrunch
Potential Impact
- 01
Expansion of access to more creators over time, broadening real-time features beyond initial small group.
- 02
Attendance and networking at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, influencing tech industry connections and investments.
- 03
Increased user engagement on Threads during live events like NBA games, potentially boosting platform relevance.
- 04
Moderation tools reducing policy violations, improving user safety in live interactions.
- 05
Potential application to other events like Fifa World Cup, enhancing Threads' competitiveness with rivals.
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