HBO Max Launches Group Watch Tool to Stream Full Episodes on Snapchat

HBO Max has partnered with Snapchat to stream full episodes of their series on the social media platform. With HBO Max Minis, users will be able to stream pilots of certain series along with up to 63 other Snapchatters.

The feature was announced today and is offered through Minis, which launched late last year and hosts third-party app experiences within Snapchat. Minis allow users to do anything from meditating with Headspace to purchasing movie tickets with friends through Atom. And now, HBO Max Minis will allow anyone on Snapchat to watch entire episodes of more than a dozen series from the streaming service for free, including the pilots of Lovecraft Country and Game of thrones. With synchronized playback, everyone who watches the track will be able to stream the same track together.

Snapchat users will be able to access HBO Max episodes through search or by clicking on the rocket icon from the chat. Once HBO Max Mini launches, users will need to verify their date of birth, which will filter out which episodes can be streamed. The full list of episodes available to stream with an age limit is as follows:

• Betty (season 2, episode 1)
• Craftopie
• Euphoria
• The stewardess
• Game of thrones
• Generate + ion
• Gossip Girl (2021)
• Looney Tunes
• Love life
• Lovecraft Country
• Selena + Chef
• Titans
• warrior
• Quiet world

Up to 64 users can join a HBO Max Mini session through a shared chat link or by clicking on a shared sticker, and users will be able to chat and send feedback while streaming a title. The pilot episodes of the aforementioned series can be streamed for free even for users who are not HBO Max subscribers. But users aged 18 and over will be asked to subscribe to HBO Max to continue streaming a series after the pilot episode is over.

Image: HBO Max

Watch Parties are an increasingly popular feature launched by major streamers. Apple, for example, will release a FaceTime integration later this year to support group streaming with SharePlay, but many streamers like Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney Plus have their own in-app group monitoring tools. The arrival of HBO Max on Minis marks the first major streamer to support streaming full episodes without ever leaving Snapchat.

“People love to get together to watch their favorite HBO Max shows and talk about what’s going on,” said Sarah Lyons, executive vice president of global DTC product management at HBO Max, in a statement. “Our partnership with Snapchat is another step towards realizing this desire for human connection and providing our fans with co-viewing opportunities, while deepening their emotional relationship with the brand.”