When Jake Paul squared off against Mike Tyson in a much-anticipated boxing match, millions of fans worldwide turned to the red streaming service, eager to watch the two unlikely opponents battle it out live.

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This was Netflix’s chance to show the world that it could dominate live streaming, just like it dominates on-demand TV.

Unfortunately for Netflix, the event proved to be a fiasco, particularly for South African viewers, who found themselves locked out of the action, staring at buffering screens and error messages.

This was no minor glitch. It was a glaring reminder that while Netflix may dominate the world of on-demand entertainment, it is still an amateur when it comes to live broadcasting – a space where Multichoice’s DStv has long been a pro.

All hype, no punch

Netflix’s venture into live streaming has seen its fair share of technical failures. Its first attempt, Chris Rock’s Selective Outrage comedy special, was largely successful, but subsequent efforts have exposed the cracks in its infrastructure.

The Love Is Blind reunion episode in April 2023 failed completely, disrupting access to the entire platform. The Tyson-Paul fight fared marginally better – at least some non-event content remained accessible – but the live broadcast itself was plagued with quality issues, and the internet had a field day.

For local viewers, the stream refused to load beyond 25%, before kicking them to error messages that blamed their internet connections.

Netflix eventually fixed some of the issues elsewhere in the world, but the damage was done. South Africans, along with many others, were furious.

Netflix took hours to respond, and when it finally did, its statement was a mix of excuses and bad jokes. Calling a technical disaster a “huge success” didn’t sit well with paying customers.

DStv knows how to stream

While Netflix is still figuring out live streaming, DStv has been doing it for years – and doing it well. From the Rugby World Cup to Premier League matches, DStv delivers live sports and events to millions of viewers across Africa with very few hiccups.

During the Rugby World Cup final in 2023, DStv Stream served over 800 000 unique users without crashing. And it’s not just sports.

MultiChoice, the company behind DStv, streamed over 34 000 live events last year through its SuperSport channels. Whether it’s football, rugby, or UFC fights, they’ve built a system that handles the pressure of live broadcasting.

The difference between Netflix and DStv comes down to experience. Live streaming is tough. It’s not like on-demand content where a bit of buffering doesn’t ruin the experience. When it’s live, every second matters. Whether it’s a goal in the Premier League or a knockout punch in boxing, missing the moment means missing the whole point.

DStv’s success is built on years of practice and investment. They’ve figured out how to handle huge spikes in traffic without breaking. They’ve also mastered redundancy – backup systems that keep things running smoothly even if something goes wrong.

A good example of this is the documentary about Spotify called ‘The Playlist’ in which its founder became inherently obsessed with optimising its streaming efforts – it’s worth a watch if you’re a techy.

Netflix, on the other hand, is still learning.

The opportunity

Netflix’s failure is a huge opportunity for DStv to remind South Africans why it’s still the king of live events. MultiChoice is already stepping up its game, adding more streaming options and making Showmax a competitive platform with live sports.

They’ve even partnered with Peacock, one of the best in the live-streaming business, to make sure they stay ahead.

For South Africans who care about live sports and events, DStv is the safe bet. Netflix might have the big-budget shows and movies, but when it comes to live entertainment, they just don’t have the proof of concept yet.

At the end of the day, South Africans want streaming services that work. Whether it’s for a big rugby game or a hyped-up boxing match, reliability matters. Netflix’s failings during the Tyson-Paul fight were a stark reminder that flashy global brands don’t always deliver.

DStv isn’t perfect – there’s room to improve pricing and expand access – but when it comes to live events, they’ve proven they know what they’re doing.

For Netflix, it’s back to the drawing board. And for South African viewers, the lesson is clear: sometimes, the old guard still knows best.