Disney+ launches GroupWatch, a new co-viewing feature
Today, Disney+ launched a new co-viewing feature called GroupWatch, where friends and families can watch movies and shows from the streaming service’s library together, even when apart.
GroupWatch allows for up to seven people to watch something together in a synced playback experience available across web, mobile, connected TV devices and Smart TVs, as well as share reactions in real time.
“Storytelling comes alive when you’re able to share and enjoy it with others, and in this moment when many are still apart from their friends and family, GroupWatch offers a way to safely connect virtually by co-viewing your favorite Disney+ stories with your favorite people from the comfort of your living room,” said Jerrell B. Jimerson, senior vice president of product management for Disney+.
Subscribers to Disney+ can launch this new feature by interacting with the GroupWatch icon found on the Details page of their chosen movie or series in the service’s library.
After that, the host will be given a link to invite up to six other people to watch with them, though a Disney+ subscription is required for each viewer. Invitations must come from mobile or web, but after accepting, you can then watch from your connected TV device or Smart TV.
Through its synchronized playback, each participant can pause the show or movie everyone’s watching for a quick bathroom break, as well as play, rewind to catch a favorite scene again, or fast forward for the entire group.
Groups can even react together in real time while watching with six different emojis through the Disney+ app: “like,” “funny,” “sad,” “angry,” “scared” and “surprised.”
The GroupWatch feature originally launched as a test in Canada on Sept. 10, followed by Australia and New Zealand on Sept. 18, and is now officially live in the U.S. This new way to watch is expected to expand to Europe later this fall.
What do you think of this new Disney+ feature? What movie or show will you use with GroupWatch first? Let us know in the comments!
