Amazon closes down criticism of US Open coverage amid fan revolt
Amazon’s first big foray into the world of live sports streaming has had an inauspicious start after it pulled the plug on reviews of its coverage of the US Open amid a viewer revolt over poor picture and sound quality as well as an absence of recording options.
Amazon closes down criticism of US Open coverage amid fan revolt
Disgruntled tennis fans complained in their droves about the coverage, part of a $40m deal to broadcast the tournament in the UK, after being left cold by the internet giants attempt to take on traditional broadcasters at their own game.
Amazon had hoped to win over tennis fans with its coverage by bringing on board a raft of star players to provide commentary including Greg Rusedski, Jim Courier and Annabel Croft and had built a custom studio at Flushing Meadows to serve as its broadcast base.
None of this glitz could cover for technical failings however which saw 777 of 850 reviews leave ‘critical’ feedback for the £5.99 Prime Video service, handing out a derisory one or two stars and sparking Amazon’s own circuit breakers into action.
The top rated critical review, posted by Kiddyboo, read: “If you're going to bid on this sport coverage at least give people the option to watch retrospectively not ONLY live. And the option to choose which match to watch on catch-up. Please make some changes so tennis fans can enjoy our favourite sport.”
Attempts to post new reviews on the service are greeted with the words: “This product currently has limitations on submitting reviews. There can be a number of reasons for this, including unusual reviewing activity.”
Amazon blamed the blackout on an IT glitch and said it was working to restore feedback functionality.
Amazon isn't the only streaming service to experience issues with its coverage, with fellow streaming platform Optus moved to run full-page ads in Australian newspapers to apologise for its own failings during the World Cup.