Two years after announcing plans to launch a co-viewing experience on Facebook messenger at the F8 Developer Conference, Facebook is finally rolling out the new “Watch Together” feature on its Messenger app.
The shiny new feature allow users to view videos from Facebook Watch while also seeing live video of their friends.
“Today, we’re announcing Watch Together so you can enjoy Facebook Watch videos with your friends and family and see their reactions in real time over Messenger video calls and Messenger Rooms,” Facebook wrote on its blog.
With the new feature, participants in a group video call can select any video from Facebook’s Watch tab, and this video will be played to everyone participating in the group call.
Facebook Watch however, does not support videos from YouTube, or other streaming platforms. This means that users are only limited to the contents Facebook provide.
In the meantime, Facebook said that it is working on adding more content to its catalog.
Aside from the contents on Facebook’s catalog, users will also be able to share their own video clips. This will particularly, help families to stay closer to one another, and share experiences, as well as special moments.
Product Manager for Messenger, Nora Micheva, said:
“We’re excited to bring Watch Together so people can experience videos together in real time. We created this feature to make spending quality time with friends and loved ones feel as close to an in-person experience as possible.“
To use the feature, users would have to be on Messenger video call, or Messenger Room. Then, swipe up to access the menu and select Watch Together.
From there, you can select from the videos suggested for you, or choose from any of the categories listed.
The videos can be shared with up to eight people in the Messenger Video call, and up to fifty participants in the Messenger Room.
The feature is currently being rolled out for both iOS and Android.