Hulu has launched a new function on the hulu.com platform known as Watch Party available for on-demand subscribers, and enabling up to eight viewers at a time to watch movies and shows together over the holiday period. The feature comes as a result of widespread social distancing and is a way ‘to connect with friends and family this holiday season.’
Watch Party is designed specifically for Hulu and Hulu (No Ads) subscribers to access the company’s on-demand streaming library, including the Hulu original movie The Happiest Season and holiday episodes of The Golden Girls, This is Us, and Family Guy. Hulu ran a testing period for the service where viewers reportedly favored shows such as Pen15 and The Bachelorette, both of which will also be available.
After launching Watch Party through the icon on each title’s Details page, you will be able to share a link with up to seven other subscribers to join. Viewers must be 18 years of age or older to access the feature. While watching, group members will be able to react in real-time through the chat function and control their own playback.
Bluesound has announced the addition of a stereo surround mode for its own Pulse Soundbar and Powernode models and the BluOS 3.12 firmware update is available now. Owners will need to use the ‘home theater group’ setting to access the stereo surround mode. The feature mixes two-channel sources into rear surrounds, and extracts the natural ambience ‘present in nearly all well-produced stereo recordings’ while not synthesizing any ambience or other sonic elements for a ‘truer’ sound. Dolby recordings are always decoded as intended.
‘More and more customers are looking for high-quality, wireless, surround sound options for everyday listening,’ says Matt Simmonds, Bluesound Product Manager. ‘Using Stereo Surround provides customers a subtle but highly natural and believable ambience from the surround channels, creating an immersive experience even when playing two-channel content.’
Martin, a seasoned journalist and AV expert, has written for several notable print magazines. He’s served in key roles at Lucasfilm’s THX Division, NEC’s digital cinema division, and has even consulted for DreamWorks. Despite his illustrious career, Martin remains rooted in his passion for cinema and acting, with notable appearances in several Spielberg films, Doctor Who, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He currently resides in San Francisco.
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