Netflix faces class-action lawsuit over streaming failures during Tyson-Paul fight

KATHMANDU: A Florida-based Netflix subscriber has filed a class-action lawsuit against the streaming service following technical issues during the highly anticipated Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday.

The lawsuit, filed by Ronald “Blue” Denton, accuses Netflix of being unprepared for the massive audience and failing to provide the promised service while still charging its customers.

The complaint highlights problems such as freezing, buffering lags, and inaccessibility, seeking unspecified damages for breach of contract and violations of Florida’s consumer protection laws.

The boxing match, held on Nov 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, attracted an estimated 108 million viewers worldwide.

Netflix had touted it as the most-watched live sporting event on its platform. However, the lawsuit claims the streaming giant was “woefully ill-prepared” to handle the high demand, with disruptions starting from the beginning of the event, making it “unwatchable” for many.

This is not the first instance of Netflix facing criticism over technical glitches during live events. The lawsuit alleges that Netflix failed to learn from previous mistakes, which intensified the impact of the recent issues.

It also accuses the platform of not properly compensating subscribers for the poor viewing experience, exacerbating dissatisfaction.

The case could have broader implications for consumer rights in the streaming industry, especially as more platforms explore live broadcasting.

Unlike pre-recorded content, live events require a more robust infrastructure to manage spikes in viewership, raising concerns about streaming services’ readiness for large-scale broadcasts.