DirecTV's Sunday Ticket-to-Go service through the PlayStation 3 "didn't work for customers during the 1 p.m. ET games" Sunday, but it "mostly seemed fixed for the late games," according to Gregg Rosenthal of PRO FOOTBALL TALK. Those who "used the product during the afternoon games mostly said it was pretty sweet, although a few readers continued to experience problems." However, there were "reports from countless readers that their 'To go' service was unwatchable Sunday." It "froze often" and a lot of people "had trouble with the IPad app and on their mobile device." There was not a week last season "when the service didn't have streaming problems," and DirecTV "didn't offer refunds, just promises it would get better." NFL.com "showed with their Preseason Live package that they are ahead of DirecTV technologically." The NFL should be "concerned about growing the league," and at some point must "consider whether DirecTV is the right partner to accomplish that growth" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/12). BUSINESS INSIDER's Tony Manfred wrote during the 1:00pm games Sunday the To-Go service "doesn't work." The "Start Watching" button on the website was "disabled," and there were "first-hand reports of the PS3, iPad, and iPhone versions of To-Go malfunctioning." Manfred: "This is simply an embarrassment for DirecTV. They pay a ton of money to be the exclusive provider of Sunday Ticket, so they ought to put in the leg work to make sure web streaming of NFL games is up to the standard of MLB.com and other satisfactory sports streaming services." Manfred wrote DirecTV needs to either "fix this disaster, or let another, more competent provider take over Sunday Ticket next season" (BUSINESSINSIDER.com, 9/11). While restoration of some of the issues was completed, the service's "interactive features were sent to the showers for the entire day." DirecTV is "giving PS3 customers a $24.99 credit for the inconvenience" (CABLEFAX DAILY, 9/13).
