With the coronavirus global lockdown, watching TV shows and films with friends and family hasn’t been possible, until now. Thanks to Amazon Prime Video.
Amazon Prime Video Watch Party is rolling out in the US. This co-viewing feature is included at no extra cost with a Prime membership and allows participants to watch video content together at the same time with the playback synchronised to the host’s account.
Each Watch Party can include up to 100 participants, as long as they all have a US Prime subscription and are joining from the US. During a session, the host of the Party is the one able to start, pause and stop the chosen video for everyone, while all guests can socialise and share thoughts and emojis through the built-in chat.
You can launch the Watch Party feature via Prime Video, on the desktop only, while choosing a title. As the host, you will receive a private shareable link for your guests once you click on the “Watch Party” icon.
Amazon said “thousands of titles” from the Prime catalogue, including originals, will be eligible for Watch Party. Titles available only for rent or purchase are not available within Watch Party at this time, Amazon says.
The company says its Prime Members travelling outside the US will be able to use the feature only partially, with the option of hosting and joining Watch Parties for titles included in the “Watch While Abroad” carousel on their Prime Video account.
It is unclear when UK subscribers, and those based in other countries, will be able to access Prime Video Watch Party.
The feature is available on laptops only. Apple’s Safari browser will not support the native social viewing tool. There is no information as to whether it will be available on other platforms beyond laptops, like gaming consoles or smart TVs.
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