ABC isn’t the only one struggling with live streams of big events. It’s become somewhat commonplace during prominent TV programs for the live streams to lag, black out or crash altogether. There were delays of up to one minute during NBC’s stream of Super Bowl XLIX last month and ESPN’s live stream of the 2014 World Cup went on the fritz during a big match between the United States and Germany.
The hiccups are on marketers’ minds when they cut deals with networks, but not enough to keep them away entirely. “It’s too aggressive to say advertisers are pulling out of live streams due to these issues,” said Christine Peterson, managing director-investment, Initiative. Many marketers feel the need to appear on these alternative platforms to stay relevant — to capture younger viewers who don’t watch traditional TV and gain experience for a future where more programming is delivered over the web.
via Oscars Live Stream Bug Won’t Deter Advertisers | Media – Advertising Age.