Disney+ Launches 'GroupWatch' Feature for US Subscribers

Disney has officially added the GroupWatch option to the Disney+ platform in the United States after testing the co-viewing feature in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand earlier this month. The GroupWatch feature allows up to seven Disney+ subscribers to sync streams and watch content together, even when apart. Disney's watch party experience is available on all titles in the Disney+ library across several platforms, including web browsers, mobile apps, connected TV boxes and smart TVs. When initiating GroupWatch on a Premier Access title, all participants must have paid for that title. [caption id="attachment_2413770" align="alignnone" width="1707"] Image credit: Disney[/caption] Variety notes that the new GroupWatch feature doesn't include a text chat option, which Disney says has been omitted from the design in an effort to stop viewers from becoming distracted and missing parts of the main event, though participants are invited to share "real-time reactions" with six different emojis available through the Disney+ app. Disney+ subscribers can invite other users to a GroupWatch party via a new icon that is located on the "Details" page of a Disney+ movie or TV series. However, it's important to note that invitations can only "originate from mobile or web," but once the invitations have been sent out to the selected parties, users can join the session from any streaming device or smart TV.

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The GroupWatch feature is available to all Disney+ subscribers in the US (with the exception of kids' accounts), and each participant in the streaming session can pause, rewind or fast forward video playback for the whole group, including the host. Sadly, European subscribers will have to wait a bit longer to trial the new feature, as it is expected to be rolled out sometime later this fall in that market.

For those that already have access to the GroupWatch feature, start filling up your virtual watch party calendar with our rundown of everything that is coming to Disney+ in October, including the second season of The Mandalorian. Season 2 is set to debut on the platform on October 30 with a whole new cast of scum and villainy, as well as some faithful favourites and one particularly notable scene-stealer.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=disney-plus-spotlight-october-2020&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

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