'Unwatchable': Down and out Netflix crashes - Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight live stream attempt marred with buffering, sound and technical problems

by Thinus Ferreira

Massive embarrassment is mounting at Netflix over the humiliated video streaming service's botched livestream attempt of the controversial boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul on Friday night which was marred by freezing, buffering, sound problems and crashing completely.

A litany of other Netflix technical issues and mistakes caused thousands of users to give up and leave who tried to watch it, while on-screen mistakes and sound failures led to a cringe-inducing live production.

Right from the start of the undercard fights inside the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas it quickly became clear that Netflix didn't have the capacity to do the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight right - freezing up, slowing down, the audio cutting out constantly and the image quality being reduced to smeared pixels throughout. 

Netflix's farcical live stream crashed multiple times before, during and after the undercard and main boxing match, leading to massive frustration with Netflix users who eventually just gave up.

By the time the 27-year old YouTuber won against the 58-year old boxing veteran, thousands who came to watch in-person had reportedly also left the stadium already without even knowing who had won, while thousands of Netflix viewers who tried to watch, had abandoned the attempt.

Many in the stadium booed both Mike Tyson and Jake Paul during the second half and left, saying that the fight failed to justify the hype.

Furious Netflix users worldwide complained about being unable to watch the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight which was Netflix's first major sports streaming event done live and its debut in live combat sports.

Thousands of Netflix users took to X, formerly known as Twitter to complain, with one saying "This live stream from Netflix is horrendous. Buffering on and on, pixelated image, muffled sound. They wanted the big event and they are fumbling it. If I had purchased a subscription for this event I would demand a refund first thing tomorrow".

Kevin Adams, one of the Barstool Sports' hosts in America said "Netflix really fumbling tonight. My TV has frozen and buffered about 15 times so far. Sound cutting in and out. What a shit show."

Another said: "If Netflix doesn't fix this buffering issue, this will go down as one of the biggest fails in all of TV/streaming history".

"This Netflix broadcast is an incredible ad for Amazon Prime," remarked another.

"Hey, is anyone else having server and bandwidth issues with Netflix? Pixels have ramped down to 1995 TV level and it keeps buffering," said another, while another frustrated user noted that "Netflix has crashed! We have been buffering at 25% for 10 minutes and now frozen. It's not my network. We are pushing 250mbs".

Anele Mdoda told Netflix South Africa "I'm sending you okes my subscription money in phases next month. Going to buffer it across the month".

Peter Ndoro said "Unbelievable! Netflix sets up this big fight Tyson Paul and doesn't prepare for the huge online demand and now we are struggling to see it.What a mess!! Netflix, stick to movies!"

Hours later Netflix hadn't responded to media queries and hadn't issued any statement on the botched live sports streaming event.

Besides Netflix that was hampered by freezing and buffering, multiple other technical issues and mistakes marred the live stream attempt.

When Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner tried to thanks Netflix in the stadium, his microphone went dead at the event and online.

During the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders performance, A Netflix cameraman got kicked in the head and stumbled moving down the line in a live shot, seconds into the broadcast.

Presenter Kate Abdo was forced to apologise for Netflix's ongoing technical problems.

Joined by veteran boxers Andre Ward, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield at the desk, Kate Abdo was forced to apologise for the sound problems, that they couldn't hear and the malfunctioning headphones.

Evander Holyfield couldn't hear a single question Kate Abdo asked him at the other side of the desk, with Kate Abdo who had to ask Lennox Lewis constantly to ask and relay her questions to him.

"Evander, I apologise. I'm so sorry about the sound," she said.

Showmax Pro adds sporting greats documentaries about Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton, Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson and Steve Ballesteros.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service has added a series of sports documentaries for December 2021 and January 2022 that are made available to Showmax Pro subscribers first.

The series of documentaries will become available for standard Showmax subscribers later in December.

The sports documentaries profiles sports stars like Mike Tyson, Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton and Seve Ballesteros and each documentary tells the story of how they've succeeded against the odds and made history in their respective sporting codes.

Here is a rundown with synopses of the various documentaries on Showmax Pro, and their release dates:

Fists of Iron - 10 December 2021

Fists of Iron tells the story of the baddest man on the planet, winner of multiple heavyweight world championships: Mike Tyson. 

Growing up was a struggle, but inside the ring, he steamrolled an entire division of elite athletes. This documentary takes a look at Mike Tyson’s incredible journey and the demons he has faced to become one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather - 17 December 2021

Whether it's taking on one of the best boxers in the world, Manny Pacquiao, or fighting the king of the Octagon, Conor McGregor, Floyd "Money" Mayweather puts on a show no matter the opponent.

This documentary tells the story of the man with the perfect boxing record over a career that has spanned more than two decades. From simple beginnings in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to headlining two of the biggest PPV events of all time, Floyd has proven time and time again that he is money.

Tiger Woods: Icon - 24 December 2021

The debut of a young Tiger Woods changed the game of golf forever.

This documentary tells a story of a young prodigy who breached the trench of a heavily white-dominated sport with the aim of conquering it.

Woods single-handedly transformed the perception of golf, opening the industry up to a new wave of youth and diversity. Despite the stream of negativity surrounding Tiger's private life, he has undoubtedly had the greatest effect of any sportsman on any sport in the modern era.

The Winning Formula - 31 December 2021

As the only black Formula One participant in history, Lewis Hamilton's journey to becoming its most decorated driver is one of dreams, courage and determination. 

Hamilton has had to overcome adversity from the very beginning, making waves in the nepotistic and monied world of karting. 

From his cold reception at karting tracks to basking in victory at Monaco, the documentary takes audiences through a journey of how Hamilton has risen above prejudice and discrimination to reach the apex of world motorsport.

Seve - 07 January 2022

Seve captures the late golfer Seve Ballesteros' brilliance on the course and his complexity off it.

 The 90-minute documentary focuses on the life and times of the great Spanish golfer, who died in May 2011 after an 18-month battle with brain cancer. 

Seve also captures some of the greatest moments in the legend’s career, including the 1976 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where a 19-year-old Seve finished second to the legendary Johnny Miller.