Stage channels are Discord's answer to Clubhouse

Discord just announced a new type of channel for Community servers that focuses on speaking with an audience. They're called Stage channels, and they're Discord's answer to the Clubhouse app that's growing in popularity. Stage channels allow you to communicate with an audience and easily control who can take part in the conversation. The goal is to combine the intimacy of a podcast with the interactivity of a Q&A.

Like the rest of Discord, Stage channels can easily work in a variety of situations. You can set up a Stage channel for an AMA (Ask Me Anything) or an interview. According to Discord, you can also use them for karaoke, though it seems more likely that people will use them for conversations.

Within Stage channels, Stage moderators can manage who is speaking and mute or remove an existing speaker. For example, a moderator could virtually call up someone from the audience to ask a question. Audience members can raise their hands to show that they want to participate.

To use Stage channels, you'll need to enable them within your Community server. This can be done through Server Settings > Community.

Stage channels are live on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and on the web.

Discord has also been in the headlines lately for reportedly being in exclusive talks with Microsoft regarding being acquired. Our senior editor Jez Corden explains why it's vital that Microsoft purchases the communication platform.