Foxtel’s online streaming service crashed yesterday leaving some customers unable to view one of the biggest TV events of the year.
After the company rebranded its streaming offering as Foxtel Now last month, it said an “unprecedented rush” to subscribe to the refreshed service just before Game of Thrones returned for its seventh season yesterday caused Foxtel’s system to crash.
“We are devastated that some customers experienced technical issues tonight,” Foxtel spokesman Bruce Meagher said late yesterday.
“Foxtel engineers are working through the night to resolve the issue. It’s most unfortunate and we apologise to those affected.”
The “unprecedented” demand followed Foxtel claiming the biggest audience in Australian subscription TV history last year for the season 6 premiere of Game of Thrones with an audience of 727,000, up 31% on the season 5 premiere.
Foxtel noted that technical issues also affected the show’s US broadcaster HBO, and said it was working with broadcast partners globally to resolve technical faults “immediately”.
“We assure anyone impacted that they will be able to watch the first episode of Season 7 either On Demand or via one of our encore screenings throughout the week. We will continue to communicate with affected customers to ensure they are fully informed,” Meagher said.
Game of Thrones is available for $15 a month as part of the Pop package on Foxtel Now. While the issues did not affect Foxtel’s normal TV broadcast of the show, customers interested in signing up only for Game of Thrones would need to spend at least $46 a month plus additional costs for HD and installation.
