Boxing fans hoped Netflix’s live coverage of Jake Paul’s clash with Mike Tyson — and the matches that preceded it —would go off without a hitch.
What viewers got instead was an amalgam of buffering issues, choppy analysis and the dreaded “black screen of death.”
Paul and Tyson have yet to make their way to the ring for Friday night’s blockbuster bout. But as the main card rolls on, more and more subscribers are taking to social media to express frustration over Netflix’s performance.
With the streaming giant set to host not one but two NFL games on Christmas Day later this year, Friday’s showing could be a bad omen for the sports fans.
Here’s what you need to know.
LIVE: Follow updates from Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson
Netflix buffering issues, explained
Countless Netflix users complained about the quality of Friday night’s stream. Some were presented with lengthy loading screens, while others were dealt a more tragic fate: being hit with the “black screen of death.”
Anybody else’s @netflix service crashing constantly during #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/jfw4KmMKVs
— Yared Vazquez, M.D. (Octagon Doctor) (@dryared) November 16, 2024
Netflix servers pic.twitter.com/WHiFTyAZDs
— Mike – MBA with Blue Collar Tendencies (@RoughEdgedNerd) November 16, 2024
My #netflix FROZE?!?!?!
ALREADY?!?!?!@netflix 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/gixAVWoeDM
— Pissed & Realistic Lakers Fan 🐬 (@AntdoggII) November 16, 2024
Nice job @netflix the circle of infinite buffering. I’m sure it’ll just get better with more viewers, right? 😂 pic.twitter.com/EiB6CvDmJO
— Daniel Gibson (@DanielG__83) November 16, 2024
@netflix Freezing and skipping with no audio. #awesome pic.twitter.com/4KMJurwhrp
— The real Rogue (@rogue_real) November 16, 2024
Increased viewership did little to stop the issue. In fact, it very well could have exacerbated it.
Fans continued to encounter the sputtering stream as the night continued, missing parts of the action as Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos dueled for welterweight gold. Suffice to say, viewers were not very entertained
Netflix servers tonight pic.twitter.com/3QNl5BQ3ld
— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) November 16, 2024
the Netflix servers rn: pic.twitter.com/yygzpor8Gh
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) November 16, 2024
Netflix servers right now 😂 pic.twitter.com/YmPuBdcFSz
— Jordan Payton (@LEGIQN) November 16, 2024
Netflix tryin to get their shit together right now #NetflixFight#netflx pic.twitter.com/zdht7eO0yq
— DIPU CHAUDHARY (@lovesayarindian) November 16, 2024
It’s all fun and games tonight @netflix, but if you ruin my family’s Christmas because we can’t watch the Steelers… there will be real hell to pay pic.twitter.com/wKAlwY3uJQ
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) November 16, 2024
Netflix executives watching these streaming issues: pic.twitter.com/iKSy1bgR8j
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) November 16, 2024
Netflix has shown no sign of being able to quell the rot. For pugilist promoters worldwide, that’s going to be a tough pill to swallow.
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