Foxtel has been forced to issue an apology after its online streaming services crashed just as users were gearing up to watch the premiere of the latest Game of Thrones (GoT) season.
A statement issued by Foxtel said the global premiere of GoT’s highly-anticipated seventh season caused technical glitches around the world, with online sites crashing in the US, Latin America and Australia.
The show’s producer and US broadcaster, HBO, reported its technical systems could not cope, and in Australia, the surge of demand for Foxtel’s recently-launched online product, Foxtel Now, also experienced customer meltdown.
Here are some of the reactions from Foxtel subscribers when they discovered that watching GoT was no longer going to be part of their Monday night plans.
All excited to watch @GameOfThrones S7 and now @Foxtel Go/Play/Now (whatever it’s called these days) not working! ? @FOXTEL_Help
— Katie Evans (@katieanneevans) July 17, 2017
@Foxtel, is the new system that Australians take it in turns to watch GoT? I’ll remember to take a ticket next week #foxtelnow #foxtellater pic.twitter.com/ORL2KPJdAi
— Clare Quinlivan (@Claretastrophe) July 17, 2017
When you get FOXTEL Now so that you can legally watch #GoT and then it doesn’t even load. I’ll go back to illegally obtaining it then
— Bleepity Bloop (@jveetz) July 17, 2017
Here’s to #foxtelnow. Failing spectacularly on the one night anyone would deign using it. pic.twitter.com/n0DkEs1pvr
— Mena (@alldaymena) July 17, 2017
Hello. This has been our situation for an hour or so pic.twitter.com/8CxNbbvVCw
— Liam Webb (@bikkyboo) July 17, 2017
Me rn #foxtelnow #GOT7 #foxtel pic.twitter.com/6brvI2Pkfb
— ally howell (@__allyhowell) July 17, 2017
Foxtel spokesman Bruce Meagher said the company was “devastated” that some customers experienced technical issues during the GoT season seven premiere.
“As was the case in the US and Latin America, the unprecedented rush for a subscription just prior to the telecast crashed the system,” he said.
“It’s most unfortunate and we apologise to those affected.
“We assure anyone impacted that they will be able to watch the first episode of season seven either on demand or via one of our encore screenings throughout the week.”
