In a subtle yet significant shift to its streaming platform, Amazon has removed the ‘Watch Party’ feature from Prime Video, a move that signals a departure from the social viewing trends that defined the pandemic era. Whilst one avenue for connection closes, the tech giant appears to be redirecting its focus towards content expansion, launching a substantial promotional campaign that extends trial periods for its premium third-party channels.
The Quiet Demise of Social Viewing
During the height of the global pandemic, streaming services scrambled to introduce features that could bridge the physical gap between households. Amazon’s Watch Party was a standout addition, allowing geographically separated friends and families to synchronise their viewing of films and television series. It served as a digital lifeline for many suffering from social isolation. However, in recent months, the feature has vanished from the platform, a change that occurred with remarkably little fanfare.
Pinning down the precise timeline of this removal has proven difficult. Anecdotal evidence from Reddit communities suggests the service has been unavailable for nearly five months. It appears Amazon opted for a phased withdrawal rather than an abrupt shutdown, which perhaps explains why the disappearance went largely unnoticed by the broader subscriber base. Given that support pages dedicated to the function have been deleted, it is evident that the company has moved on.
The rationale behind the decision remains unconfirmed by Amazon, though industry logic suggests a simple cost-benefit analysis. As lockdowns ended and normal social habits resumed, the utility of a remote watch party likely plummeted, making the resources required to maintain it difficult to justify. Nevertheless, for those in long-distance relationships or with family abroad, the removal is a disappointment, severing a unique link that allowed for shared experiences despite the miles.
Third-Party Alternatives Remain
For subscribers determined to maintain the tradition of remote movie nights, independent solutions still exist. Teleparty, formerly known as Netflix Party, operates in a similar fashion to Amazon’s defunct native solution. Crucially, it is platform-agnostic, supporting synchronisation across Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime.
There are, however, caveats to this alternative. Teleparty functions as a Chrome plugin, restricting its use to devices capable of running the browser extension. Furthermore, using a third-party tool may not offer the same level of security as a feature integrated directly into the streaming provider’s infrastructure.
A Pivot to Premium Content Aggregation
Whilst stepping back from social features, Amazon is aggressively bolstering its position as a content aggregator. In a move to drive uptake of its add-on services, the company has extended the trial phase for its paid Prime Video Channels. Where customers were previously limited to a seven-day testing period, Prime members can now access premium content for 30 days at no cost.
This promotional drive, which is scheduled to run until 6 January 2026, encompasses nearly 50 different channels. These subscriptions typically command monthly fees ranging between €5 and €14. The extension provides subscribers with a significantly more generous window to assess whether the additional cost offers value for money before committing to a payment plan.
Curated Libraries and On-Demand Flexibility
The selection involved in this new campaign highlights the breadth of Amazon’s third-party partnerships. The offer includes high-profile services such as MUBI (€13.99/month) for arthouse cinema, Lionsgate+ (€4.99/month) for Hollywood blockbusters, and the BBC Player (€6.99/month) for British crime dramas and productions. Other notable inclusions are ARD Plus and ZDF select for German-language documentaries and reports, as well as genre-specific channels like MOVIECULT and Terra X.
It is worth noting that despite the nomenclature, these ‘channels’ do not function as linear television with fixed schedules. Instead, they operate as on-demand extensions. Once booked, the content integrates seamlessly into the user’s existing Prime Video library, accessible across all supported devices without the need for separate applications.
Subscription Mechanics and caveats
As with most streaming trials, vigilance regarding the terms is advised. Access to these channels requires an active Amazon Prime membership. Furthermore, the 30-day free access converts automatically into a paid subscription upon expiry. Unless the user actively cancels the service via their account settings under ‘Channel Bookings’, the standard monthly fee will be charged. Subscribers retain the ability to view and terminate individual channel subscriptions at any time, with access ceasing immediately upon cancellation.