PPV glitches in screening venues trigger boos, angry cries of ‘refund’

Shouts of “refund, refund” and booing triggered by signal interruptions marred the live screening of the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and

Manny Pacquiao in several places in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

At SM Aura Premier Cinemas in Taguig City, chants of “refund” and cursing were heard when the screens went blank in the last two rounds of Sunday’s historic bout. Signal came back while Mayweather’s victory was being announced.

Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao lost its signal at the start of Round 9. The signal was restored at the start of the 12th. At the end of the bout, some fans were seen complaining at the pay booths.

Climate disruptions

Screening of the fight at the City Hall quadrangle and in Freedom Park in Marikina City was interrupted toward the end of Round 6 when it suddenly rained.

Mayor Del de Guzman said the satellite feed of the fight was disrupted by clouds and the rain.

Screening was also disrupted between Rounds 10 and 11 in some areas in Hagonoy, Bulacan province.

In Romblon province, a crowd of 500 people shouted “boo” after 10-second power interruptions twice hit the island of Tablas, where a free public viewing of the fight was being held at the Odiongan public plaza.

“It happened twice during the start of the fight but power was immediately restored,” said Trina Firmalo, executive assistant and daughter of Romblon Gov. Eduardo Firmalo.

Walkout

People rooting for Pacquiao walked out the plaza after Mayweather’s victory was announced.

In Los Baños, Laguna province, free screening of the fight carried by a local cable company was interrupted in the earlier rounds.

The pay-per-view screening was sponsored by local politicians and businesses whose names kept popping up on the screen throughout the fight. The live feed was resumed after a few minutes.

In Tagum City, Davao del Norte, the huge LED screen set up near the sports and tourism complex went dark seconds into Round 8.

Sofonias Gabonada, provincial information officer, blamed the glitch on the cable provider but did not say what caused the interruption.–Reports from Jovic Yee and Vanessa Hidalgo in Manila; Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon; and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

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