How to Watch Meetings and Special Events Online

The organization uses various tools to help publishers receive spiritual food at the proper time, whatever their circumstances. As online streaming becomes more common, it is important to obtain the correct viewing links and avoid unofficial programs or misleading information.

This article explains how to access online arrangements for congregation meetings, circuit assemblies, annual conventions, annual meetings, special meetings, Gilead graduations, and other events.

Where to Obtain the Viewing Link

For congregation meetings and annual conventions, ask the elders in your local congregation about the viewing arrangement. Depending on the event, invitations may also come from an authorized individual, an authorized organization, or a branch office.

Use the arrangement established for that event rather than searching for a link on social media, video-sharing platforms, or unofficial websites. A search result or a link forwarded by someone you know does not, by itself, confirm that it is appropriate for you to use.

If you receive an unexpected invitation or are uncertain about its source, confirm it before proceeding.

Watching Live or Prerecorded

Live viewing allows you to watch a program as it takes place. For example, a live convention feed comes from your assigned convention. Check the date, starting time, and time zone provided with the invitation.

Prerecorded viewing provides an official recording. A prerecorded convention may come from a designated convention in your language, located elsewhere in your country or another part of the world. Different speakers or surroundings do not make it unofficial.

Not every event offers both arrangements. Follow the instructions provided, including when the program will be available.

Check the Instructions Before Sharing

Sharing instructions may differ between events. Before forwarding a viewing link, check the instructions that accompanied it.

If they are unclear, ask the person or authorized organization that provided the invitation, the elders in your local congregation, or your local branch office, as appropriate. They can clarify whether you may share the link or whether the other person needs a separate invitation.

Receiving access also does not automatically give permission to record, reupload, or redistribute the program.

Avoid Unofficial Streams and Recordings

Be cautious of third-party websites, social-media accounts, and file-sharing services offering viewing links, complete programs, downloads, or “exclusive” recordings.

A recording may look genuine but still be an unauthorized copy. It could also be incomplete, incorrectly labeled, edited, or combined with commentary. Use the authorized viewing arrangement or material officially released by the organization instead.

For programs provided through JW Stream, check that the website domain is exactly stream.jw.org. Be cautious of similar-looking addresses with small changes, such as an added or missing letter, or a letter replaced with a similar-looking character. Even a small difference can lead to an unrelated website. A copied logo, familiar event title, or similar page design does not prove that a website is official.

Do not enter passwords or financial information on an unfamiliar page offering access, or install unfamiliar software it promotes. When something seems unusual, confirm it with the source that provided your invitation.

Prepare Ahead and Ask for Help

Before watching, check the schedule or availability period, open the link according to the instructions, and test your Internet connection and sound.

If the link does not work, return to the original invitation and confirm that you opened the complete address. Check your connection and try refreshing the page.

If the problem continues, contact the person assigned to assist or the source that provided the invitation. Avoid searching for an unofficial replacement stream, and keep the complete invitation and private information out of screenshots shared for assistance.

Obtain the link through the proper arrangement, follow the instructions for that event, and ask an authorized source whenever you are uncertain.