Paramount+ subscribers were left fuming as technical difficulties prevented them from watching Arsenal's Champions League opener against Athletic Club in Bilbao. As the football season is back in full swing, European competition has kicked off. Arsenal, one of the Premier League's most popular clubs, started their Champions League journey against La Liga's Athletic Club.
However, fans were left seething when Paramount+ experienced technical problems, with the channel operating in the United Kingdom and the United States, denying them the opportunity to follow the action. Many were keen to see how Arsenal would fare in Spain, with star striker Viktor Gyokores making his European debut for the club.
Despite the game and pre-match coverage starting well before kickoff, users were greeted with an error message: "Uh-oh. An error has occurred, but we're working on fixing it. We'll be up and running again shortly!"
"Anyone else having issues with paramount plus not loading the Arsenal Champions League match?" moaned one fan. A host of disgruntled Gooners expressed their anger as Arsenal - who made it to the Champions League semi-finals last season - began their latest campaign.
"Haven't had Paramount Plus since last year," another added. "Signed back up for Champions League. Great to know that app is still a piece of rubbish.
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"Not a good time for Paramount+ to be s***," another posted. "Christ almighty, what do we pay streaming services to do? WORK. And how often do they not work? TOO OFTEN."
Others fumed at the disruption. One wrote: "PARAMOUNT PLUS WONT PLAY THE GAME F***."
It wasn't merely the technical glitches plaguing the Paramount+ application that proved problematic for the broadcaster. Those fortunate enough to access the stream via the website encountered audio problems that hampered the broadcast, further irritating viewers.
"Can someone @Arsenal pass onto announcers on paramount+ calling the match that one guy has his mic off and can barely hear him probably only picking him up as background noise off other guys mic that is booming," one user wrote.
Another was more blunt, writing: "is paramount buffering for everyone? and sound issues? what an awful start to champions league coverage."
Arsenal's encounter with Athletic Club promises to be a relatively heated affair. The Gunners boast considerable Basque connections within their current structure, with midfielders Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and manager Arteta all maintaining strong ties to Real Sociedad - Athletic Club's fierce adversaries.