TL; DR
- Sling TV has launched a Watch Party feature that lets you chat via video and text while sharing the same show.
- You can scan up to three friends at the same time.
- Available now using Chrome on your computer.
Want to bring your friends to watch a big football game despite the pandemic? Sling TV thinks you still can — it’s launching a Watch Party beta feature that lets you video and text chat with up to three other people while watching the same live or on-demand show. This is a “first” in the live TV space, Sling said.
While the host has control over playback, each viewer has control over their cameras and audio levels. You can choose different packages and extras from content on Sling’s TV and start partying an hour before live broadcasts.
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The beta is now available on the web via Chrome. Between now and September 30, guests can join parties by signing up for a Slang TV account, so your friends might not need to pay if they act quickly.
Sling hasn’t said how soon Watch Party will come to other browsers or platforms, though that may depend on getting cameras for video chat. Don’t expect to join parties on your console, at least not for a while.
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Services like Disney Plus and Movies Anywhere have already introduced shared viewing, but they’ve typically only allowed limited interaction with friends and focused on pre-recorded movies and TV. This gives your friends a more realistic presence and allows them to join in on sports and other live broadcasts. It doesn’t quite make up for empty seats on the couch, but you can feel a strong bond until it’s safe to meet in person.