Fans roast Netflix
Netflix is now the official US broadcaster for the Women’s World Cup—for 2027 and 2031.
While some are excited by the news, others are already stocking up on patience, expecting another round of buffering nightmares.
The streaming giant announced on Friday that it had won the exclusive rights to the next two editions of the world’s most-watched women’s soccer event, marking a historic deal for FIFA with a streaming platform.
Historically, the World Cup has aired on free-to-air networks, so this is a big leap for Netflix, who’s clearly determined to dive headfirst into live sports. But here’s the thing: after the chaotic live broadcast of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight last month—which included buffering, audio issues, and more glitches than a dial-up connection—fans are slightly concerned.
One disgruntled subscriber in Florida is even suing Netflix for breach of contract, accusing them of literally breaking the stream. And after the Women’s World Cup announcement, social media users wasted no time roasting Netflix.
While Netflix is reportedly committed to bringing the tournament’s full coverage to US viewers, including star-studded studio shows and immersive coverage, it’s hard to imagine any of that actually happening if the stream freezes mid-goal. The 32-team, 64-game tournament will kick off in Brazil in 2027—if the stream doesn’t cut out during the opening whistle, of course.
Hopefully it goes better than the Tyson fight.
— The TV Junkie (@Solo86B) December 20, 2024
Netflix, which is also set to broadcast two NFL games on Christmas Day, is diving deep into the live sports pool. But let’s be honest: after last month’s debacle, fans are wondering if “smooth streaming” will be part of the package.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, is all about the bigger picture, though. “It’s about celebrating the players, the culture, and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sports,” she said. And we’re all for that—just as long as we can actually see the match without hitting the refresh button every five minutes.
If Netflix doesn’t want to be remembered for its buffering memes rather than the World Cup, they might want to work on their live streaming skills. A little less lag would be a great way to start.