Streaming is the most popular way to watch TV shows, accounting for about 38% of all TV usage. Streaming watch parties make it possible to enjoy a show with a friend who lives miles away or your partner while they’re on a business trip. Some services used to allow people to host watch parties right from the service, but those methods are no longer available. Two methods that allow you to host watch parties on various services include Teleparty and SharePlay. It’s important for everyone in the watch party to have access to the same streaming services, and shared accounts can be used for this purpose.
Teleparty, formerly known as Netflix Party, is a browser extension that works on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera browsers. It allows you to host a watch party for up to 1,000 people and works with streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more. Teleparty also has a premium version that works with services like Apple TV Plus, Crunchyroll, and ESPN Plus. To host a watch party with Teleparty, you need to open a video on a supported streaming service, click the TP icon in the toolbar, and share the link with your friends and family. Invitees can join the watch party by opening the link and clicking the TP icon in the toolbar. Teleparty also includes a group chat feature for chatting during the show or movie.
SharePlay, introduced by Apple in 2021, allows Apple users to share their screen with others via FaceTime for watch parties. This feature works with Apple’s own apps like Apple TV and Apple Music, as well as other streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. To use SharePlay, everyone in the watch party needs to have iOS 15.1 or later installed on their device. To start a watch party with SharePlay, start a FaceTime call, tap the Share icon, select Share My Screen, open a supported streaming service, and start watching. While the show is playing, you can still talk to your friends and family via FaceTime.
Both Teleparty and SharePlay offer ways to host watch parties with friends and family who are miles apart. It’s important to ensure that everyone in the watch party has access to the same streaming services and uses the same method for hosting the party. With Teleparty, you can host watch parties for up to 1,000 people and access a premium version for additional streaming services. SharePlay allows Apple users to share their screens during watch parties via FaceTime and works with a variety of streaming services. These methods provide a convenient way to enjoy shows and movies with loved ones regardless of distance.
