Where Are Channels in the New Microsoft Stream for SharePoint?
Question details
Users are trying to find the channel functionality in the new Microsoft Stream for SharePoint to organize and easily locate their migrated organizational videos.
- Product
- Microsoft Stream for SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Organizing and managing organizational video content after migrating from Stream Classic to Stream on SharePoint.
- Observed behavior
- Stream for SharePoint lacks the direct channel and search features previously available in Stream Classic, making it difficult to categorize videos by department or subject.
Verify that you have Site Owner or Edit permissions on your SharePoint site, as you will need these privileges to create new libraries, folders, or metadata structures for your videos.
Organize Videos Using SharePoint Document Libraries and Folders
Since native Stream channels are no longer available, creating dedicated SharePoint document libraries and folders is the most direct way to group videos by department or topic.
In the new Stream architecture, videos are treated exactly like standard documents stored in SharePoint. This means you can leverage traditional SharePoint hierarchy to replace Stream Classic channels.
Navigate to your SharePoint site homepage, click the 'New' button, and select 'Document library'. Give it a clear name, such as 'Training Videos' or 'Marketing Content'.
Open the newly created library, click 'New' in the top menu, and select 'Folder'. Name these folders according to the channels you previously used in Stream Classic.
Select the migrated video files from their current location, click 'Move to' in the command bar, and select the corresponding folders in your new video library.
Use SharePoint Metadata for Advanced Video Filtering
Tagging videos with custom metadata allows users to filter and search for content across your site without relying on a rigid folder structure.
Leverage Microsoft Teams Channels for Video Grouping
If your organization relies heavily on Microsoft Teams, you can store and highlight videos directly within specific departmental Teams channels.
Need a Simpler Way to Manage Documents? Try WPS Office
While you adapt to the new organizational structures for videos in SharePoint, streamline your overall document workflow with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for all your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Start editing: Open WPS Office to immediately view, create, and edit all your standard document formats seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can migrated videos be restored to Stream Classic?
No. Microsoft has officially retired Stream Classic, and migrating back is not supported. You must manage and organize your videos directly within SharePoint, Teams, or OneDrive using the new Stream on SharePoint architecture.
How do I restrict access to certain organizational videos?
Since videos are now stored in SharePoint, access is controlled via standard SharePoint permissions. You can manage access at the individual file, folder, or document library level by clicking the three dots next to an item and selecting 'Manage Access'.
Is there a way to search for videos across my entire organization?
Yes. While Stream Classic had its own search portal, you can now use Microsoft Search at the top of Office.com, SharePoint, or the Stream web app to find videos across your entire organization, provided you have the necessary permissions to view them.
Will Microsoft restore the channel feature in the future?
Microsoft has not announced plans to bring back the exact 'Channels' feature from Stream Classic. Instead, they are continuously updating SharePoint web parts and Microsoft 365 video features to improve organization. You can submit feature requests through the Microsoft Feedback portal.
