Teething issues for Paramount + as problems arise during first match-week

UPDATE:

The A-Leagues has responded to the reported camera issues from the Western United vs Melbourne Victory fixture played at GMHBA Stadium with the following statement:

“We want to assure fans who watched last night’s match in Victoria that we were set up for a 12-camera broadcast but lost transmission on some of our cameras due to a technical issue. We’ve worked through the issues with our broadcast partners.”

We want to assure fans who watched last night’s match in Victoria that we were set up for a 12-camera broadcast but lost transmission on some of our cameras due to a technical issue.

We’ve worked through the issues with our broadcast partners.

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 21, 2021

Melbourne Victory’s first win under Tony Popović which drew over 8000 to GMHBA Stadium has been marred with technical difficulties, as fans tuned into the Paramount Plus broadcast.

Paramount Plus’ live broadcast between Western United and Melbourne Victory experienced extensive technical difficulties, with sets of fans disgruntled with the poor quality of the stream during the fixture.

These teething issues have been experienced by new broadcasters within the Australian footballing landscape, with Optus Sport coming under extensive fire during the 2018 FIFA World Cup where the remainder of the tournament was simulcast with fellow domestic broadcaster of the tournament, SBS.

Issues were also experienced last night with the first game of the A-League Men’s season between Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar with a blue circle

Paramount Plus responded on twitter within the first half, apologising for the difficulties at hand.

We sincerely apologise for the technical error experienced at the start of the Geelong match, and we are working hard to make sure it does not happen again.

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) November 20, 2021

Despite Paramount indicating these issues would be fixed, they continued into the second half as football fans grew increasingly frustrated.

For some the quality picked up as the game reached its conclusion yet it demonstrates teething issues within the streaming infrastructure, with a lack of ability to rewind during a live broadcast a key pressing point for many football fans.

We are experiencing extreme unforeseen technical difficulties during the Western United vs. Melbourne Victory game tonight. We sincerely apologise and are working hard to get this fixed ASAP.

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) November 20, 2021

At times, one camera was on display with a lack of variety in camera angles for replays, with non-HD streaming available for the majority of the fixture.

Paramount + will broadcast both the F3 derby between Newcastle Jets and the Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC vs Wellington Phoenix in a double header from McDonalds Jones Stadium.