Self care and virtual watch parties go hand-in-hand
(Credit: Getty Images/Cavan Images)
If the pandemic taught us anything, it's that we can share the same entertainment without sharing the same space.
A healthy distraction during 2020 lockdowns, virtual watch parties brought together (from afar) friends and family for regular Tiger King catch-ups and screenings of the latest straight-to-streaming films. And while the days of hovering your finger over the "Play" button while someone on Zoom counts down may be over, there are still plenty of options for binging TV and simulcasting movies with loved ones near and far.
Popular platforms Prime Video and Hulu make it easy to watch their content in unison (Disney+ axed its official watch party feature last year), while third-party tools offer their own solutions. Every service is different, but one thing remains the same: Each viewer needs their own subscription to join the virtual party. And, keep in mind, availability of some content varies by location and may not be accessible across different countries.
Amazon Prime Video Watch Party
Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV devices; Android and iOS Prime Video apps; Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers
Gather up to 100 of your closest friends and confidants for a horror movie marathon, full-series rewatch of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, or a browse through any number of Amazon Prime Video's original and exclusive movies and TV shows. There's nothing to download or plug in. Simply sign into your Prime account, pick a series or film, and tap the party hat icon to get started. You'll be directed to enter a name for the chat and click Create Watch Party; the video will open as normal, with the addition of a Watch Party menu, conversation sidebar, and Settings tab—home to the all-important shareable link.
Only the host can control video playback, but anyone can create a URL to invite more people. The host also has the power to end viewing by clicking End Watch Party under Settings. All group members must individually buy or rent titles not included with Prime for Watch Party, which is not currently available for Prime Video Channels, the ad-supported Amazon Freevee, and live events.
Twitch Watch Party
Compatibility: Web browsers; iOS and Android Twitter apps
Supports: Amazon Prime Video
Gamers, rejoice: Twitch Watch Parties allow online communities to come together to watch, react, and discuss content from platform owner Amazon's Prime Video library.
Get started by adding the quick action feature to your Stream Manager via Creator Dashboard > Quick Actions Panel > [plus button] > Watch Parties. Then, whenever you want to mix up your content and engage more followers, click the Watch Parties Quick Action.
Upon first launch, you'll be asked to sign into an Amazon Prime or Prime Video account to authorize whatever device you're using for playback. After that, it's up to you to search, browse, and select the TV show or movie you want to show. Note: Prime Video Channels, Amazon Freevee, and rented or purchased content is not currently supported.
Viewers outside your region may join a Watch Party, assuming the title is available with their subscription. (Hint: Look for those labeled "Broadly Available.") Click Select Title to confirm your selection. It's worth adding the name of the program to your stream title, which could help connect with new viewers.
That's just the beginning, though. Twitch Watch Party is more complicated than most to set up, and requires additional steps—like disabling all audio and video sources except webcam and mic.
Once you've settled on a title and your webcam is live, click Start Watch Party to automatically launch Prime Video content to the video player on your channel. After 15 seconds, the clip will begin playing, while your webcam stream appears in Picture-by-Picture. Select Open Watch Parties in New Tab or go to your channel page to watch with your community.
What's still missing is the ability to set up a private stream just for friends. Amazon Prime Video Watch Party is a better option for more intimate gatherings.
Hulu Watch Party
Compatibility: Watch on the Web via Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
Hulu's Watch Party lets up to eight users gather round their individual screens to watch thousands of on-demand shows and movies together on the web.
Navigate to the Details page of the film or series in which you're interested and look for the Watch Party icon (three people with a "play" symbol in the center). Alternatively, for specific TV episodes, you can click the three-dot menu to find Start a Watch Party.
Tap the Start the Party button to open the invite page and select the chain icon to copy the link, which may be shared with others (aged 18 years or older).
The online-only feature is currently available to subscribers on Hulu.com using a supported web browser. Folks with an iOS or tvOS device, meanwhile, can use SharePlay to stream content during a FaceTime call. (Keep scrolling for more on that.)
Unlike most watch party services, though, Hulu's does not sync video. When one person pauses, the rest continue streaming; once unpaused, the group receives a notification that someone is out of sync, and may allow them to catch up. It's probably worth using the chat function to warn of breaks in viewing.
Apple SharePlay
Compatibility: iOS 15+, iPadOS 15+, tvOS 15+, macOS Monterey+
Supports: Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Max, Hulu, and more (sorry, no Netflix)
Perhaps not the most obvious of ways to host a virtual watch party, Apple's SharePlay feature for FaceTime and Messages works like a charm when your partner's away and you don't want to watch another episode of Ted Lasso without them.
Open the FaceTime app, tap New FaceTime, choose some contacts (FaceTime supports up to 32 people in a group call), and place a call. Return to your device's Home Screen, open a video streaming app (Apple TV+, for example), choose a film or series, tap Play, then select Play for Everyone. Others on the call may have to tap Join SharePlay to see the video. Each viewer has access to playback controls, and can add closed captioning or change volume on their devices.
FaceTime's Picture-in-Picture mode, meanwhile, means you can continue watching the video and stay engaged in the conversation while using other apps—perhaps ordering food, checking email, or hopping onto Messages to text without interrupting the show.
And, if you've started watching together on an iPhone during the evening commute but want to continue on the big screen at home, open the streaming app or Control Center, tap the rectangle-and-triangle icon, and choose Apple TV as the playback destination. Video play syncs on the television while you keep the conversation going on your handset.
Third-Party Services
Looking for a watch party option not run by a major streaming service. Your options abound:
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