TV Answer Man, I watched Thursday Night Football tonight (Thursday night) and the picture was great. No problems with the stream and the colors were very bright. But a friend of mine e-mailed me and said his picture was terrible. Lots of buffering. How can that be? — Gino, Jacksonville, Florida.
Gino, Amazon last night streamed its second exclusive Thursday Night Football game (Steelers vs. Browns) and the audience reaction was mixed, to say the least. Many fans on social media said the picture was terrific with vivid colors and no interruptions while many others said the picture was a buffering mess with the dreaded spinning wheel constantly on display in the center of the image.
And when I say ‘many,’ I mean many. Twitter last night was overflowing with both positive and negative comments:
The buffering begins. On the left, YouTube TV has been perfect all night. pic.twitter.com/ZoOsypAIeO
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 23, 2022
Not had an issue at all. Talk to your internet provider.
— Eric Lea (@EricWLea) September 23, 2022
This streaming football thing is so weird. I have a connection that's on the slower end, and I almost never have buffering problems with Amazon prime. Still, I know people that have better connections than me, and they get hit with the buffer all the time. Makes no sense.
— Evan Moore 🇺🇸🇺🇦🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏈🏈⚾ (@MooreHoops727) September 23, 2022
In terms of NFL streaming services Amazon is by far the best
— TH3Unapologetic (@Th3unapologetic) September 23, 2022
@NFL @PrimeVideo @amazon no my picture is not out of focus. This is just the prime video stream of the Thursday night football game…. Meanwhile, other streaming services can handle 4K no problem on my Internet connection. @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/KgUwvje9mf
— Bruce Comer Jr (@brucejr007) September 23, 2022
Trying to watch Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime, and the quality of the streaming is horrendous! It is freezing and glitchy- actually unwatchable. So very disappointed…
— Kelly Friedman (@KellyFr58476011) September 23, 2022
Amazon needs to address these #TNFonPrime issues. In my opinion, there are still too many comments on social complaining about video quality being choppy, audio out of sync etc. you don't see this with NFL games streaming on FOX, NBC or CBS. #streamingmedia https://t.co/oxEjUz5PRx
— Dan Rayburn (@DanRayburn) September 23, 2022
Amazon is killing it with these Thrs. night broadcasts. Huge deal for streaming.
— Scott King (@ScottKingMedia) September 23, 2022
Get better internet.. it was working amazing here in Los Angeles
— Qba Libre (@RealQbaLibre) September 23, 2022
How is it possible that a single stream can cause so many different reactions?
Welcome to live streaming. The picture quality can, and often does, vary depending upon everything from your Internet service provider to the streamer’s servers to your device to your location to…well, about 20 other factors. This is not like cable and satellite which both have a more consistent and reliable delivery. Live streaming can be a joy to watch, or the most frustrating thing ever, and there’s not much you can do about it either way.
Sure, you can employ some of the usual tricks such as upgrading your Internet service or using a wired connection instead of WiFi. But even those actions may not help. Some fans last night who had streaming issues noted that they have the fastest Internet service available on the market.
Since the streaming companies are flush with cash these days, they will get more and more live sports exclusives. (By example, the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge may break Roger Maris’ HR record tonight and you will only be able to see it on Apple TV+.)
Our only hope is that the technology improves — and fast.
Gino, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
@tvanswerman
This comment is in no way to be flippant about the issues some have with buffering of the streaming live sports event, but I have to say that streaming is nothing new. It’s been around for years and two factors are key to good streaming results or any other activity on the internet.
1). Internet bandwidth and speed.
2). Reliable wi-fi strength and range of devices (if not hard wired to router)
Like any investment, there is some time, knowledge and a little money is required to ensure good stable results. My streaming of the TNF game on Prime was fantastic. I work full time remote and require high speed bandwidth and I have all streaming devices to my TVs hard wired and use latest gen Apple TV and Roku etc. I never have issues. My streaming picture is more clear and bright than any ‘compressed’ cable tv channel signal I’ve ever watched before.
Streaming IS the way of the present and future. No question about it. That’s why companies are investing in it.
One other thing I failed to mention, is ensuring your modem and wi-fi routers are up to date with latest firmware etc.
It’s possible perhaps some households have relied completely on their internet/cable tv provider to provide ‘plug and play’ service — but with a little research and some investment you can reward yourself with superior service of internet & wi-fi reliability in your home.
This is the entertainment age of CHOICE. This is what the consumer wants. Streaming services provide that choice.
Michael, you bring up very good points. But, you’re up to speed on this partly because you do full time remote work. There’s a huge percentage of people who don’t do that and don’t have to same tech yet. In time people will adjust (or they won’t and the tv viewing will suffer). A very large percentage of people are use to just turning on their tv and watching. They haven’t had to improve internet speed, upgrade their wi-fi, upgrade and update their modems etc. That and they just don’t understand this “new” tech yet. But, streamer have them by the short hairs and are forcing them to get up to speed, or not and suffer the consequences.
Tony L… I can appreciate your sentiments, however there is now less than HALF of American households with traditional cable tv.
As I mentioned, streaming is nothing new. For perspective, Netflix was the first to stream movies and shows in the year 2007! That was 15 years ago.
The buffering issues people are experiencing is not at all due to issues with streaming technology. It’s quite frankly due to out of date equipment and/or neglect to be able to stream. Millions and millions are enjoying great streaming results and Amazon Prime had a peak 14+ million view last Thursday’s Chiefs/Chargers game.
Horsey poop. I stream constantly with absolutely no problems. I have a 3 month old top of the line modem and a brand new top of the line router. The only streaming I have a problem with is TNF, and I assume it’s because of streaming outlets who don’t have the bandwith to keep up. I know there are broadband companies scrambling to fix the problem, but it take new equipment and installation.
I don’t have an issue with the picture but for some reason I don’t get Dolby digital surround on my roku premiere on my Vizio 5.1.2 soundbar I only get Dolby digital surround when I use the Samsung tv app ? And I know it’s not the roku because when I use,Netflix,or Disney+ I hear the surrounds and the subwoofer