Netflix is rolling out a new live voting feature that lets viewers interact with live content in real time, as the company continues to experiment with more participatory formats.
The feature will debut with the premiere of Netflix’s live-streamed talent show Star Search on January 20.
Subscribers watching the show live will be able to vote on performances in two ways: by choosing from a multiple-choice menu or by rating contestants on a five-star scale. Voting can be done either using a TV remote or through the Netflix mobile app.
Furthermore, the feature will be available globally and will tally votes in real time. However, voting will be time-bound and limited to the live broadcast. Once the window closes, late votes will be excluded, so viewers watching later won’t be able to participate.
From Testing to Wider Rollout
Netflix started to experiment with its live voting feature in August 2025 during the ‘Dinner Time Live with David Chang’. At Disrupt 2025, an event organised by TechCrunch, Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone announced that the streaming platform will roll out the feature more broadly.
“If you’re sitting at home watching ‘Star Search’ on your TV, you’ll be able to vote either on the TV or your mobile phone to decide whether contestants advance,” Stone said.
She added that the feature is an early step toward making content more interactive across devices, allowing subscribers to feel more involved in how stories unfold.
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Netflix Dives Into Live and Interactive Content
The live voting rollout comes as Netflix continues to invest heavily in live programming. The company has introduced shows such as Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, expanded its sports offerings with NFL Christmas specials and WWE programming, and launched interactive games for smart TVs.
With live voting, Netflix is now merging its live-content strategy with interactive features, giving viewers a more active role in what they watch, at least when they’re watching in real time.
