Amazon"s Twitch streaming service launched support for Watch Party in April of this year as a part of its efforts to help users watch movies virtually together as COVID-19 lockdowns are still in place. Today, the company is bringing that capability to Amazon Prime Video subscribers.
The retail giant announced today that it is rolling out the ability to host or join virtual viewing parties. The new feature is available in beta to Prime customers at no extra cost to their existing subscription. However, only those living in the U.S. will get to access the new viewing experience. In addition, it"s accessible only via desktop browsers except Safari. Unlike Twitch"s Watch Party, however, Prime Video"s version is private as people can only join a session after they receive a dedicated link.
Up to 100 participants can join per session, provided each participant has a Prime membership or Prime Video subscription. Viewers can choose from thousands of titles, including Amazon Originals such as Fleabag, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, HANNA, Mindy Kaling’s Late Night, Donald Glover’s Guava Island, Troop Zero, The Big Sick, The Boys, Homecoming, and My Spy.
Watch Party features synchronized playback with full control for the host. It also has a chat feature to let participants communicate, with built-in stickers to boot.