In K.C., Pete Grathoff pointed out that Netflix has not yet revealed which broadcasters will be covering the Chiefs-Steelers match on Christmas Day, but “there is something that worries fans even more” — a “series of issues ranging from buffering to screens that appear washed out.” Netflix believes it has “gained insights from the problems […]
In K.C., Pete Grathoff pointed out that Netflix has not yet revealed which broadcasters will be covering the Chiefs-Steelers match on Christmas Day, but “there is something that worries fans even more” — a “series of issues ranging from buffering to screens that appear washed out.” Netflix believes it has “gained insights from the problems it faced last month,” when technical difficulties occurred during the live Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight. It is “taking measures to enhance its quality for the Chiefs-Steelers game and the Texans-Ravens match that follows on Christmas.” This includes “collaborating with its partner internet service providers to boost Netflix’s ‘interconnection capacity,’ and fine-tuning its system to manage a surge in demand” (K.C. STAR, 12/5).
TECHNICAL ISSUES: In Chicago, Jeff Agrest highlighted a “technical issue” as the cause for TNT’s broadcast of the Bruins-Blackhawks game on Wednesday to be “either blacked out or vanishing from TV screens” in the Chicago region. YouTube TV users “never witnessed the game,” while Comcast viewers “only saw about half of the first period before the feed went out.” It represents the “latest disappointment” for fans who lost access to games when the Hawks, Bulls, and White Sox shifted from NBC Sports Chicago to Chicago Sports Network this season (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/5).
REINING IT IN: In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy questioned whether it’s “too much to ask” that Celtics color analysts Brian Scalabrine and Eddie House “tone it down a bit on NBC Sports Boston?” The legendary voice of the Celtics on radio, Johnny Most, never referred to the Celtics as “we.” Hearing House ramp up the excitement about Tom Werner (”Let’s go, Celtics!”) is “a bit excessive.” Even NESN “understands better, and that sets a low standard, folks” (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/6).
LET’S HEAD TO THE RODEO: SI’s Laura Motley Lambert mentioned that Teton Ridge, along with its newly acquired The Cowboy Channel, is “set to provide unparalleled coverage of the 66th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR),” taking place from Dec 5-14 in Las Vegas, NV. With more than 30 hours of combined daily coverage, fans can “enjoy live arena action, detailed commentary on The Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Channel+, exclusive live pre- and post-show content, behind-the-scenes features on Teton Ridge’s social media platforms (YouTube and Facebook), Teton Ridge+, TR Rodeo FAST channel and much more” (SI, 12/5).
“Netflix trying to pull off a holiday miracle with the Chiefs-Steelers game like Santa squeezing down a chimney—let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a buffering nightmare! 🎅📺 Fingers crossed for more touchdowns and fewer technical glitches this Christmas! 🏈✨”
“Looks like Netflix is pulling out all the stops to make sure we’re not buffering through the Chiefs-Steelers game this Christmas! 🎄🏈 Fingers crossed that the only thing we’re seeing washed out is the holiday lights! Let’s hope the only drama this holiday season is on the field, not our screens! 📺✨”