Netflix ‘Party’ Feature Lets You Watch With Friends While You're All Separated

The prospect of staying inside for the next few weeks without seeing your friends, loved ones and family members might seem a little scary for many of us right now.

But what if we told you that you could have a movie night with literally all of those people right by your side? Okay... at least virtually.

Introducing Netflix Party, the free Google Chrome extension that enables people to watch programmes simultaneously despite being miles apart.

The add-on has actually been available for years, but what better time to put it to good use than when we're all being told to socially distance?

Netflix Party)

All you have to do is download the extension via Chrome and then there's a button which lets multiple Netflix users watch any show in unison, while chatting along on a sidebar.

Simply click it and select 'Start Party', then Voila!, all you have to do is send them the URL to join your party and your BFFs might as well be in your living room with you!

Of course, invitees must also have both a Netflix account and the extension to join in on the fun, but given how easy it is to install (and the fact that pretty much all of us know at least one person's password), an online movie night really is just a few clicks away.

Netflix Party)

"Netflix Party is a new way to watch Netflix with your friends online," the tool's creators explain.

"Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows.

"Join over 500,000 people and use Netflix Party to link up with friends and host long distance movie nights and TV watch parties today!"

The service received an update earlier this month in anticipation for all the people that would likely be using it in the coming weeks.

So it's ready and waiting for each and every one of us looking for new weekend plans in the months ahead.

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You can download the Netflix Party extension here.

The tool's surge in popularity comes as new coronavirus, COVID-19 is spreading around the globe, leaving many socially distancing, isolating or in complete lockdown.

As of today (Wednesday 18th March) there have been over 204,000 cases of coronavirus globally, 8,246 deaths and 82,866 recovered.

Here at Tyla, we're thinking of everybody who is being affected right now. Let's all do our best to stay positive and throw a Netflix party, shall we?!

Topics: TV News, Coronavirus, TV Entertainment, Netflix, Covid-19

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

@joannafreedman