The Oscars' first-ever streaming debut on Hulu was marred by significant technical issues, affecting thousands of viewers. DownDetector reported over 33,000 users experiencing login problems at the start of the show, with some facing disruptions for over half of the broadcast.
Many viewers missed key moments, including performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Conan O’Brien’s comedic segments, and the announcement of the Best Picture winner, “Anora”.
Disney acknowledged the problems, attributing some to a scheduling system issue, and apologized, offering a full replay on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
The incident highlights the challenges of live streaming high-profile events, mirroring similar issues faced by Netflix during a previous live boxing match. User complaints on social media highlighted frustration with the interruptions during a real-time event.