Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Video

'Game of Thrones' Streaming Problems Add to Cord-Cutting Dilemma

By Consumer Reports
Published | Updated

The problems people experienced on April 24 streaming the blockbuster season premiere of "Game of Thrones" using HBO Go or HBO Now might explain why millions of Americans stick with cable even though they complain about their provider.

According to the TV Predictions website, before the start of the show people started posting on Twitter that they were having trouble authenticating their log-in info for HBO Go. The volume of complaints for those trying to stream "Game of Thrones" rose on Twitter and other social media sites once the episode had started and subscribers weren't able to use HBO Go.

DownDetector.com, a website that tracks service issues, reported 3,227 Twitter complaints regarding HBO Go and "Game of Thrones," TV Predictions noted. (The screen grab, below, shows the tracking for HBO Go over the past 24 hours.)

There were also problems for those using the $15-a-month HBO Now standalone streaming service. HBO Now subscribers trying to watch "Game of Thrones" reported issues including an inability to log into their accounts, buffering problems, and intermittent outages. Those posting on social media seemed to be using smart TVs, game consoles, and other devices, so it would appear the problem was with HBO's servers.

This gaffe is just the latest in a string of issues that those relying on streaming have experienced during major TV events. HBO itself has had several of them, including last year's "Game of Thrones" finale, the season premiere of the fourth season of "Game of Thrones," and the finale of "True Detective" in 2014.

Other notable streaming snafus occurred during the Academy Awards in 2014; when Sling TV crashed during 2015's March Madness basketball tournament; and more recently with CBS All Access during the Grammys.

These issues highlight the fact that despite advances in streaming, this technology still isn't able to provide the same reliable experience you get from traditional pay-TV services, particularly during major live events.

Copyright © 2005-2016 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission. Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this site.