Netflix Launches Real-Time Voting System for Live Streams.
When Netflix isn’t wasting time trying to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery , it seems the company is actually adding new features to its subscription service . Netflix is constantly adding new shows and movies , which is what most platform users are looking for, but that’s not all you can expect from your account. In fact, Netflix is currently rolling out an interactive experience for its live competition shows, allowing subscribers to vote in real time.
Live voting begins for the Star Search competition .
Netflix announced the changes in a press release on Tuesday , along with the first show to officially air with live voting: Star Search . Netflix is bringing back the predecessor to American Idol tonight at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) and will allow viewers to choose their favorite contestant, along with “millions of others.”
Netflix says it first tested this feature on Dinner Time Live with David Chang and “experienced how much participants appreciated the convenient and integrated ways to participate in the show.” I suppose you don’t need a focus group to understand that people enjoy sharing their opinions, but then again, I’m not an executive at Netflix.
In its press release, the company clarified that real-time voting will only work on live streams. If you watch the show after it airs, you won’t be able to cast your vote—which is obviously logical. The show doesn’t actually need to know who you’d pick as the winner after the winner has already been determined—though Netflix could always use additional user data, I’m sure.
Currently, Star Search is the only show that supports this feature, but Netflix says more shows with real-time voting will be coming in the future.
How to Vote on Netflix Live Streams
Netflix states that you’ll be able to vote while watching a live stream if you’re watching on a TV or streaming device. Voting won’t be possible while watching in a web browser, or if you rewind, pause, or reconnect later.
When connecting to the live stream, make sure you’re using a smart TV, a supported streaming device (such as Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku), or the Netflix mobile app. If you choose to watch the stream in a web browser, you can still vote from your phone at the same time.
Netflix will prompt you to vote. A rating from 1 to 5 stars will appear on the screen. Click or tap the desired rating level for each performer. Please note that each profile only has one opportunity to vote for each performance, so you won’t be able to vote again after you’ve already cast your vote—you’ll just have to wait until the next performance.