LOS ANGELES, January 20, 2026 – Forget passively binge-watching. Netflix is now letting you call some of the shots, starting with its iconic talent competition show, Star Search. The streaming giant is rolling out real-time voting during live events, a feature that could fundamentally change how we experience unscripted television.
You’ll be able to use this interactive feature to place your vote alongside millions of others as the episode unfolds around the world.
Voting While You Watch-Or missing Out
The new feature debuts today, January 20, 2026, with the premiere of Star Search at 6pm PT/9pm ET. Viewers can participate using their mobile devices or larger streaming devices like Smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. Remote controls will be used to hover and select options on larger screens, while touchscreens will be utilized on mobile. Notably, real-time voting won’t be available for those watching on web browsers.
netflix is testing a new way to engage viewers,moving beyond simply asking “Are you still watching?” to actively soliciting opinions during live broadcasts.
During Star Search, viewer votes “will determine, in real time, who advances in the competition.” According to Netflix, the voting interface will prompt viewers with a 1-5 star rating. This interactive approach echoes Netflix’s earlier experiment with Black Mirror: Bandersnatch,but with a crucial difference: the choices in Bandersnatch were pre-recorded,while these votes will directly influence the live outcome of Star Search.
Will you be tuning in to Star Search tonight to test out the new voting feature? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
