Pirate Streamers Save UFC 257 After ESPN+ Collapses Under the Load
MrPlow writes:
Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
The lead up to [the] UFC 257 Poirier v McGregor was notable for the UFC's threats to target an illegal streamer, warning that his house was being watched, his phone was tapped, and police were standing by. While that guy reportedly backed down, many others didn't - which is fortunate since ESPN+ went down under the load, forcing legitimate buyers (including UFC fighters) to request pirate streams.
[...] With huge numbers of fans bombarding ESPN on Twitter complaining that they couldn't access the event, the broadcaster said that it was doing the best it could to restore service. However, after shelling out $70.00 the desperation mounted for many fans as the anxiety of missing the action took its toll.
In a now-deleted Tweet, UFC middleweight Ian Heinisch wrote: "Okay I am done send me illegal streams!" a sentiment that was shared by thousands of other individuals including those who already paid and those who never intended to.
[...] [The] post mortem will be a difficult one for [UFC president] Dana White. After being ridiculed in some corners for his anti-piracy rhetoric, it seems fairly likely that some fans will have decided to take the legal option for once, a golden opportunity to shine if ever there was one.
Instead, they will have watched their pirating counterparts receive superior service at what would've been less than a tenth of the price, which is just about the worst possible outcome on the night. Add that to the fact that McGregor lost, and you have a UFC 257 that White won't look back on with the fondest of memories.
Source: https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-streamers-save-ufc-257-after-espn-collapses-under-the-load-210124/
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