When Netflix (NFLX) debuted its video streaming service in 2007, its main selling point was that viewers could pick and watch what they wanted on demand, whenever they wanted. Nearly two decades later, streaming platforms are increasingly experimenting with live events like sports and award shows. These events, which are becoming more expensive, can attract massive audiences — some of whom may stick around and become new subscribers — while also generating advertising revenue.
But streamers still face technical challenges, including crashes, login issues, and other disruptions, as exemplified during the Oscars on Sunday
Here are the major instances when widely viewed live events crashed a streaming platform.
Hulu’s (DIS) livestream of the Oscars on Sunday encountered several technical difficulties, frustrating many viewers. This was the first time the awards ceremony was available to stream online. Thousands of users reported issues logging into the platform. Additionally, just minutes before the winners of the Best Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role categories were announced, the livestream cut out for some subscribers.
Over 108 million people around the world tuned in to watch the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul in November on Netflix, making the fight the most streamed sporting event ever. Unfortunately, thousands of viewers reported having issues loading the match.
In 2023, Netflix attempted to stream a live reunion for the fourth season of its popular dating show, “Love Is Blind.” However, the event faced significant delays due to technical issues with the livestream.
“To everyone who stayed up late, woke up early, gave up their Sunday afternoon… we are incredibly sorry that the Love Is Blind Live Reunion did not turn out as we had planned,” Netflix posted on X the day of the reunion. “We’re filming it now and we’ll have it on Netflix as soon as humanly possible. Again, thank you and sorry.”
In the early days of streaming, several platforms tried and failed to successfully live stream the Super Bowl. In 2018, viewers watching the Super Bowl on Hulu live TV service missed out on the final minutes of the game. And in 2021, CBS All Access (PARA), the predecessor to Paramount+, crashed during the start of the big game.
While not technically a live event, the season four premiere of “Game of Thrones” drew millions of viewers, overwhelming the cable channel’s then streaming app HBO Go (WBD) and causing it to crash.
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