World Cup: Japan fans push internet to breaking point as streaming demand leaves local provider stretched to limits
- Abema TV says it may have restrict number of users for game against Croatia on Monday
- The youth-oriented streaming network hit a new usage high on Friday after Japan’s game against Spain
Abema TV may have to restrict access to Japan’s World Cup game at midnight on Monday local time, as runaway demand is pushing the streaming service to its limits.
Viewers were advised over the weekend that admission to watch the Japan-Croatia match may be restricted in order to ensure a stable service.
Abema holds the streaming rights to the Qatar tournament in Japan, and the national team’s unexpected progress out of the group stage has triggered a wave of interest and support.
The youth-oriented streaming network hit a new usage high on Friday after Japan’s game against Spain, which was broadcast at 4 am locally, Susumu Fujita, president of parent company CyberAgent Inc, said on Twitter.
CyberAgent surged 4 per cent on the news, which augured well for its investment in the loss-making service. Shares fell about 1 per cent on Monday.
“CyberAgent’s stock is rising on expectations that Abema will see its revenue from ads increase over the long-term,” Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Toyo Securities, said.
Tokyo-based CyberAgent is better known for its portfolio of video games, such as Uma Musume, which helped drive the stock to a record high amid the pandemic.