AFL digital subscribers are up in arms after their live stream of the Collingwood-Essendon practice match failed to take up the full screen on their tablets.
As it turns out, all matches on all digital devices this season will be viewed at iPhone size – a maximum of seven inches (17.5 centimetres) diagonally – as part of the new broadcast deal.
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The change means there is a sizeable black border surrounding the live stream when watching on devices such as the iPad.
While this crucial detail can be found tucked away in the AFL app's terms of use, and despite the AFL's assurance in a tweet that new features were coming, it didn't stop a torrent of disapproval from angry subscribers to social media and a Telstra support page on Thursday night.
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"Very disappointed with further degrading of AFL live pass," one disgruntled user wrote. "I am wondering whether it is worth continuing my subscription."
Another angrily wrote: "Refund tomorrow, they can jam it."
Other customers didn't wait until Friday to cancel their subscriptions.
@AFL Subscription. Cancelled. What a deceitful move. This is going to damage your brand immensely.
— Nic Eldridge (@oscar7g) February 16, 2017
While others found novel ways to get around the lack of full-screen action.
FU #telstra, where there is a will there is a way! #alf #appletv pic.twitter.com/MqYn7YdMI7
— Charlie (@chumio) February 16, 2017
The AFL came in for heavy criticism on social media for the move throughout Thursday night.
. @AFL @smgray66 Unbelievable. Watching AFL on my tablet is the only way I can watch all the games as I have no foxtel.
— Jordan (@jd_stacky) February 16, 2017
@AFL Morons.I can't afford Foxtel.I'll be cancelling my subscription and following VFL/local leagues instead.#epicfail
— Luke Laver (@lukelaver) February 16, 2017
@AFL this is a disgrace
— Wayne Ellery (@WayneEllery) February 16, 2017
@AFL @smgray66 In 1969 we put man on moon. In 2017 we cant get a picture to fit on a tablet.
— iwashwindows (@iwashwindows) February 16, 2017
Comment has been sought from the AFL and Telstra.
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