True Detective Breaks HBO Go, Is it Ready for Game of Thrones Premier?

The True Detective finale crashed HBO Go, the streaming service that many users rely on to watch the best HBO shows like last night’s True Detective and the upcoming Game of Thrones Season 4 premiere.

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson proved too much for the HBO Go app which stopped streaming partway through the True Detective finale on Sunday evening. Soon after the HBO Go app issues started users took to Twitter and Facebook to complain about the downtime.

HBO claimed the issue affected “some users,” but according to the many replies from angry True Detective fans, the HBO Go service was offline for everyone.

Due to overwhelmingly popular demand for #TrueDetective, we've been made aware of an issue affecting some users. Please try again soon.

— HBO GO Help (@HBOGOhelp) March 10, 2014

HBO did not issue a statement about the number of users affected or the number of viewers trying to watch the True Detective finale on HBO Go last night. This morning the company did let users know that the problem is resolved, but did not explain what the issue was Specifically.

The issues affecting HBO GO last night have been resolved. Thank you for being patient.

— HBO GO Help (@HBOGOhelp) March 10, 2014

This is good news for fans who can now log in and watch the True Detective Finale on HBO Go later today, but it leaves questions about the service’s ability to handle spikes in demand for hot TV shows. A new Game of Thrones Season 4 trailer debuted ahead of the True Detective showing last night, hyping the hit show which returns to HBO on April 6th. The new Game of Thrones Season 4 trailer highlights the despair and revenge which factor into the new season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xIASaUUwklk

In our previous HBO Go review we called the service the best way to watch Game of Thrones thanks to interactive content which shows users background information on characters and plot lines that new viewers may not know of.

When the Game of Thrones Season 4 premiere arrives next month the streaming service will face another big test, and fans are worried about the service’s ability to stay online.

https://twitter.com/bschatsiek/status/443032984325595136

If HBO Go crashed during True Detective, I shudder to think what will happen during Game of Thrones this season.

— Victoria Aveyard (@VictoriaAveyard) March 10, 2014

HBO Go apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and for devices like the Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation are more popular than watching HBO series on TV for many users thanks to the mobility and the option to share a password with a friend or family member.

In order to watch True Detective and Game of Thrones Season 4 users must subscribe to cable and to HBO. While many users are happy to pay HBO, cord cutters aren’t too excited to get back on a cable plan.

While some Internet plans are offering HBO access, specifically to use HBO Go, password sharing is more common. In a recent interview with BuzzFeed HBO CEO Richard Plepler said he doesn’t care if users are sharing passwords, stating, “It’s not that we’re unmindful of it, it just has no impact on the business,” calling it a “terrific marketing vehicle for the next generation of viewers.”