Virtual Movie Night: How to Host a Watch Party
UNDERSTANDING WATCH PARTY
Want to binge-watch Netflix with your bestie virtually? OTT PARTY streaming service allows you to watch together remotely on Netflix, Disney+, Hotstar, HBO Max and Hulu.
During pandemic-related lockdowns, video streaming has been a tremendous source of entertainment. While states and localities are loosening regulations, allowing individuals to resume backyard movie nights and in-person theatre outings, you may not be ready to be around a large group of people just yet, or your loved ones may be scattered across the globe. This is where online watch parties come in handy.
There are easier ways to watch together than getting everyone on Zoom and pressing play at the same time. Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max can be streamed together using many browser addon i.e an extension called OTT PARTY. OTT PARTY streaming service provideS built-in watch-party functionality. While each service and extension is unique, in order to participate, each viewer will require access to their own subscription. Here’s how to get your remote viewing party ready.
WHAT IS OTT PARTY & HOW TO USE IT?
OTT PARTY is a free user-friendly extension where you can stream your fav shows, movies & watch in sync with your friends living far away. Just install the OTT PARTY extension, create a watch party, & you can stream & enjoy online with your loved ones while using the group chat feature. Stream from Netflix, Hulu, Hotstar, HBO Max, Prime video & Disney+.
- Install the OTT party extension.
- Add the extension to your tool bar.
- Sign in to your preferred streaming website like Netflix, Hotstar, HBO etc.
- Search for the TV show or movie that you want to watch and play it.
- Create an OTT Party by adding everyone you want.
- Host and control the watch party.
- Or Join an OTT Party hosted by someone else.
- Enjoy the video with your loved ones & use the group chat feature too.
NETFLIX PARTY
Do you recall the Netflix Party? It basically lets you watch all the netflix shows and movies with your pals around the world in sync for free. You must first install the official browser extension (Chrome and Edge) i.e OTT PARTY and have a streaming subscription before you can start or join a watch party. The service can handle up to 100 simultaneous viewers.
After you’ve installed the extension, pin it to your toolbar for quick access and control. Open your browser and go to a streaming provider to find the show or movie you want to watch. Start watching the movie, then open a small window by clicking the red OP icon on your toolbar. To generate a shared code that you can email to your guests, click Start Party. They’ll be able to join the party you’ve organised and communicate with you using the extension’s text chat function.
PRIME VIDEO WATCH PARTY
Prime Video Watch Party function grows huge, allowing up to 100 people to watch a TV or movie at the same time via OTT PARTY. Every viewer will need a Prime subscription or the ability to rent or buy the movie or episode in order to watch it. To begin, choose a TV or movie, then click the Watch Party icon, which looks like this – OP. From here, select Create Watch Party and give yourself a name in the conversation. The film will play normally, but there will be an additional Watch Party menu featuring a Chat option for texting other viewers and a Settings tab. Copy the shareable link from the Settings tab and share it with your friends you want in the watch party. Just remeber to install the OTT PARTY extension and you’re good to go.
All you need to join a OTT Party is the shareable link. Only the host has authority over video playback, but anyone can share the watching session’s link. The host can also end the viewing party by going to Settings and choosing End Watch Party.
HULU PARTY
View Party is a feature on Hulu that allows up to 100 individuals to watch selected series or movies together on the web via OTT PARTY. You can start a viewing party by going to the Details page of a show or movie and clicking the OTT Watch Party icon. You may also start a Watch Party for TV shows by going to an individual episode, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting Start a Watch Party.
To access the invite page, click the Start the Party button. To invite other viewers, copy the session’s shareable URL from here. It’s worth noting that if someone has an ad-supported Hulu account, the synchronised video will pause whenever an ad appears. Click Start Party when you’re ready to get started.
While the TV or movie is playing, you can talk and sense emoji. Hulu’s watch party service, unlike others, does not truly sync your video. Everyone will continue to observe if someone takes a break throughout the session. When the paused video is resumed, Hulu will detect that the viewer is out of sync and will let them to catch up with the rest of the audience. Just remember, that you will always need OTT PARTY extension installed in your system for creating watch parties.
DISNEY PLUS WATCH PARTY
The Disney+ Group Watch feature is available on both the web and mobile versions of the service, however there is no chat functionality. Instead, during the showing, viewers can send emoji (known as Reactions). Up to 100 people can attend the session via OTT PARTY, with up to four of them coming from the same subscription. To visit the GroupWatch page for that media, simply select a show or movie to watch, then select the OTT PARTY icon OP. To invite others, click the + icon to generate a sharing link. When others join the GroupWatch by clicking the link, their profile icons will appear on this page.
To begin watching, select Start Stream. The profile symbol will show everyone who is in attendance. To send a Reaction to the group, select the emoji face. Each user’s audio and subtitle options can be customised. Everyone will have the ability to pause, fast forward, or rewind the video.
Return to the GroupWatch website and click Leave GroupWatch to officially leave the group. You may always rejoin the group if you switch devices or leave it by going back to the programme or movie page and clicking the GroupWatch icon again. Don’t forget to install the extension which lets you perfrom all these actions – OTT PARTY.
