Netflix buffering issues: Boxing fans complain about livestream lagging ahead of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

Boxing fans hoped Netflix's live coverage of Jake Paul's clash with Mike Tyson — and the matches that preceded it —would go off without a hitch.

What viewers got instead was an amalgam of buffering issues, choppy analysis and the dreaded "black screen of death."

Paul and Tyson have yet to make their way to the ring for Friday night's blockbuster bout. But as the main card rolls on, more and more subscribers are taking to social media to express frustration over Netflix's performance.

With the streaming giant set to host not one but two NFL games on Christmas Day later this year, Friday's showing could be a bad omen for the sports fans.

Here's what you need to know.

LIVE: Follow updates from Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

Netflix buffering issues, explained

Countless Netflix users complained about the quality of Friday night's stream. Some were presented with lengthy loading screens, while others were spared a more tragic fate: being hit with the "black screen of death."

Anybody else's @netflix service crashing constantly during #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/jfw4KmMKVs

— Yared Vazquez, M.D. (Octagon Doctor) (@dryared) November 16, 2024

Netflix servers pic.twitter.com/WHiFTyAZDs

— Mike - MBA with Blue Collar Tendencies (@RoughEdgedNerd) November 16, 2024— Pissed & Realistic Lakers Fan 🐬 (@AntdoggII) November 16, 2024

Nice job @netflix the circle of infinite buffering. I'm sure it'll just get better with more viewers, right? 😂 pic.twitter.com/EiB6CvDmJO

— Daniel Gibson (@DanielG__83) November 16, 2024

@netflix Freezing and skipping with no audio. #awesome pic.twitter.com/4KMJurwhrp

— The real Rogue (@rogue_real) November 16, 2024

With viewership only expected to increase over the course of the night, things could get worse before they get better for Netflix.