YouTube Broadens ‘Watch With’ Feature, Letting More Creators Add Live Reactions

YouTube is finally pulling back the curtain on its much‑talked‑about Watch With experiment, and this time it’s inviting a wider group of creators to join the fun. First teased back in 2024 as a way to sprinkle live commentary over big‑ticket streams—think NFL games—the feature now moves beyond the test kitchen.

What does Watch With actually do? When a creator spots the ‘React live’ button in the share panel of an eligible livestream on their phone, they can tap it and instantly start broadcasting their own camera feed alongside the original video. The app forces the camera into a horizontal orientation and, yes, you can’t mute yourself out—so you’re really there, reacting in real time.

And it’s not just for show. Creators earn the same ad‑revenue they would from any other livestream, and the metrics from their reaction stream get rolled into the original broadcaster’s analytics. That means both sides can see how many eyes are watching the combined vertical stream, no matter what device you’re using.

This rollout is part of YouTube’s broader push to make live content feel more social. Alongside Watch With, the platform is tinkering with livestream leaderboards that turn engagement into a game, testing 24/7 “Stations” that let channels run continuous streams, and expanding the gifting system that lets viewers send virtual goodies during a broadcast.

Why does any of this matter? In September 2025, YouTube reported that over 30 % of logged‑in users tuned into live content each day. By giving creators more tools to interact, YouTube hopes to keep those viewers glued to the screen and grow community vibes across the platform.

So, if you’re a creator who’s been waiting for a way to react to a concert, a gaming marathon, or even a cooking demo, keep an eye on the Share panel. The ‘React live’ button might just pop up there soon.