How to start an Amazon Prime Video Watch Party

With lockdowns happening around the world due to coronavirus, watching films and TVs with your friends and family hasn’t been an option. Well, Amazon has made it sort of possible with Prime Video Watch Party.

Sure, you can agree on a certain time to start watching the same content as another household or even countdown to hitting the play button over the phone. But the likelihood, when you factor in buffering, is that you won’t truly be watching in sync.

Amazon Prime Video Watch Party is a simple and easy way to watch with other people without all the faff and works in a very similar way to BBC Together. We also have a similar article for watching Disney Plus together with friends. 

How to start an Amazon Prime Video Watch Party

It pretty much goes without saying but you and the other people watching will need a Prime Video subscription. Here’s what to do once you’ve logged in on a browser (details below):

1. Find the content you want to watch
2. Select ‘Watch Party’
3. Enter your name
4. Click “Create Watch Party” to generate a link
5. Send the link to people you want to join
6. Enjoy the show, including the chat window

What content does Prime Video Watch Party work with?

It makes sense that you can’t watch rented or purchased content using the Watch Party feature, as well as Prime Video Channels, IMDb TV and live events.

Instead, you can use it for anything with the Prime logo or that says ‘Watch Now with Amazon Prime’. Find out what we think are the best movies on Amazon Prime Video.

What devices does Prime Video Watch Party work on?

For now, Amazon is restricting Watch Party to web browsers (not including Safari or Internet Explorer) and doesn’t need a plugin.

That means you can’t use Watch Party on other devices like smart TVs, consoles, mobiles, streaming boxes like the Fire TV range. Amazon may well add this feature further down the line, though.

How many people can join a Prime Video Watch Party?

A lot. Up to 100 people can join the party and that means devices; so technically 200 people if, for example, two people are viewing on each device.

Remember that the host and all participants need to have a valid Prime Video subscription. If you don’t then a free trial is available.

Is Prime Video Watch Party available in the UK?

Yes, Amazon has now launched Watch Party in the UK – in Beta form – so you can now look out for and use the feature when you want to watch in sync with others.

Can I create a Watch Party across different countries?

Sadly not, everyone in the Watch Party needs to be in the same country as the host’s home subscription.

Amazon says “For example, if the host’s home subscription is in the United States through Amazon.com, you must be logged into your United States subscription through Amazon.com to participate.”

We compare all the best streaming services here.