Netflix’s attempt to enter live sports broadcasting has landed it in hot water. Israeli subscribers, led by a lawyer couple, filed a class action lawsuit worth approximately $2.75 million (NIS 10 million) against the streaming giant. The reason? Their much-hyped live broadcast of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight on November 16 was a disaster. Instead of a seamless “Fight of the Century,” viewers were treated to frozen screens and technical chaos.
Subscribers reportedly shelled out NIS 54.90 ($15) a month expecting top-notch service but got a middle-of-the-night wake-up call of frustration. Around 100,000 Israeli fans stayed awake until 3 a.m., only to watch a digital freeze-frame contest. Adding insult to injury, Netflix hasn’t admitted fault or offered compensation.
Filed through Attorney Eliezer Schwartz, the lawsuit accuses Netflix of breaking its promise, leaving fans annoyed and questioning its live sports future.
A similar class action lawsuit over the same broadcast chaos has already been filed in the United States, but the Israeli claim sticks to the local crowd. As it stands, Netflix hasn’t bothered to respond, and the court has yet to make a decision.
Netflix’s silence so far might be louder than the actual fight. Fans? Furious. Streaming service? Embarrassed. Outcome? To be decided. If Netflix aimed to knock it out of the park, it might’ve just hit itself in the face.
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