MC1020218 – (Updated) Microsoft Viva Connections: New News feature in Microsoft Teams (archived)

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Connections, SharePoint, Teams, Windows

Platform:

Android, iOS, Online, US Instances, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

472018

Details:

Summary:
The rollout of the new News feature in Viva Connections for Teams mobile will be completed by end of June 2025. The feature is already available on Teams desktop and web. Users will see SharePoint News instead of the Feed, with a Copilot-powered summary option for licensed users. No admin action is required.

Details:
Updated May 20, 2025: The rollout of the feature on Viva Connections in Teams mobile will now be completed by end June 2025. The feature is generally available on Viva Connections in Teams desktop and Teams web platforms.
We are evolving the Feed experience in Microsoft Viva Connections for Microsoft Teams. Instead of the Feed, people in your organization will soon see a Microsoft SharePoint News experience in Viva Connections, for a fresh new look that simplifies the user experience. Learn more:
Introducing enterprise news reader in Viva connections | Microsoft Community Hub
Watch video (14:12 min)
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 472018.
This message applies to Viva Connections in Teams for Windows desktop, Teams for iOS/Android, and Teams for the web, with this exception: This rollout will also include a Microsoft 365 Copilot-powered summary experience initially available only in Teams for Windows desktop. Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed users will have an additional option to generate a Copilot summary of the top 10 (or fewer) items in a user's News feed. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this summarization feature in the news feed.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out early March 2025 and expect to complete by mid-March 2025.
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out late March 2025 and expect to complete by late June 2025 (previously late May).
Due to the nature of rollout technology across various platforms, some users may see the new experience sooner than others or in one platform first before the others.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release

Created:
2025-03-01

updated:
2025-05-21

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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linked item details

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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Interface Change
Users will experience a new SharePoint News interface instead of the previous Feed, which may lead to confusion and a learning curve for users unfamiliar with the new layout.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Viva_Connections_Blog/introducing-enterprise-news-reader-in-viva-connections/4383832

Feature Availability
The Copilot-powered summary feature will only be available on Teams for Windows desktop, potentially leading to frustration among users on other platforms who do not have access to this feature.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=472018

Content Filtering
Users may not see all relevant news items due to audience-targeting filters, which could result in missed important updates or information, impacting communication and collaboration.
   - roles: End Users, Project Managers
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Viva_Connections_Blog/introducing-enterprise-news-reader-in-viva-connections/4383832

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced User Engagement with SharePoint News
The transition from the traditional Feed to a SharePoint News experience allows for more relevant and personalized content delivery. This could lead to increased user engagement and satisfaction as employees receive tailored news based on their interests and activities within the organization.
   - next-steps: Monitor user engagement metrics post-launch to assess the impact of the new news feature. Conduct surveys to gather feedback on user experience and content relevance.
   - roles: Marketing, HR, Communications
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Viva_Connections_Blog/introducing-enterprise-news-reader-in-viva-connections/4383832

Utilization of Copilot for Summarization
The Copilot-powered summary feature provides users with concise overviews of the top news items, enhancing productivity by allowing users to quickly grasp important information without sifting through all content.
   - next-steps: Train users on how to effectively use the Copilot summarization feature. Evaluate the necessity of expanding Copilot access to more users based on feedback and usage statistics.
   - roles: Management, Team Leaders, Project Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=472018

Streamlined Communication Channels
By integrating news directly within Teams, organizations can reduce the need for multiple communication platforms, simplifying the user experience and fostering a more cohesive environment for information sharing.
   - next-steps: Assess current communication tools and identify redundancies that can be eliminated. Develop a strategy to centralize communication around Teams and Viva Connections.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Operations Managers, CIOs
   - references: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJXod7Q8uMs

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

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