Showtime on the ropes for livestream trouble during Mayweather-McGregor fight

Press Release

30 August 2017

Showtime Networks is being sued by unhappy customers after it charged $99.99 to watch the Mayweather-McGregor fight in 1080p resolution, 60-frames-per-second, but then the livestream suffered numerous freezes and poor resolution. “Instead of being a ‘witness to history’ as defendant had promised, the only thing plaintiff witnessed was grainy video, error screens, buffer events, and stalls,” the complaint stated. The class action is alleging claims that Showtime willfully violated the Oregon Unlawful Trade Practices Act, and was unjustly enriched.

A Showtime executive countered that they received “a very limited number” of complaints. Showtime is planning to prove full refunds for those who had livestream issues. The plaintiffs are seeking actual damages or $200 statutory damages, whichever is greater. The class action also seeks punitive damages for Showtime’s“wonton, outrageous, and oppressive violation.”

The complaint alleged Showtime intentionally misrepresented the quality and grade of the livestream, and knowingly failed to disclose that the system would not have enough bandwidth available to conform to the quality of video Showtime promised.

Wednesday, 30 August 2017