On Sunday night, Netflix became the epicenter of a reality TV storm when the streaming platform’s second-ever live event, the “Love is Blind” season four reunion, was delayed significantly. The special was supposed to begin at 8 p.m. ET, but it did not begin until more than an hour later after viewers were repeatedly kicked out of the show or received pop-up messages indicating that it could not be played.
For days leading up to Sunday, the streaming service heavily promoted the live reunion. The live event was announced on April 4 by Nick Lachey, co-host of “Love is Blind” with his wife Vanessa Lachey.
The most recent season of the show, which has been described as a “social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, all before meeting in person,” focused on four couples – and a few people who were. It was the drama-filled season, complete with love triangles and “mean girls,” that drew fans to the live reunion.
When it came time to play, however, all that appeared on people’s screens was a single message: “We’re having trouble playing this title right now.” It eventually became an alert stating that there was an “issue with the live stream” and that the service was “trying to fix it as soon as possible.”
BREAKING: Netflix says to check your mail for a DVD copy of the LIVE reunion #LoveIsBlindLIVE #LoveisBlind pic.twitter.com/3WRiqSTcXx
— T (@trinawatters) April 17, 2023
Vanessa Lachey said in a video posted from the live reunion stage, “Apparently y’all, everybody broke the internet to see this reunion.”
“We’re ready to go; we just need to figure this out,” she explained. “…We are not asking anyone any questions until we are streaming live.”
So the innanet was broken apparently#LoveIsBlind #LoveIsBlindLIVE #LOVEISBLINDreunion pic.twitter.com/AtSMdgs64D
— Thunda thighed thicccums (@jamishqween) April 17, 2023
However, the longer people waited, the more frustrated the show’s fans became. Someone tweeted, “At this point, Netflix should be paying ME to subscribe.”
“Not Netflix being the new Ticketmaster,” another person said.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also expressed her displeasure.
“Someone call Lucia the seamstress to fix this,” she joked, referring to the show’s seamstress, who had to quickly tailor the pants for one of the show’s contestants on his wedding day. “I firmly believe in her.”
Netflix apologized for almost an hour and a half after the reunion was supposed to air.
“To everyone who stayed up late, woke up early, gave up their Sunday afternoon… we are incredibly sorry that the Love is Blind Live Reunion did not turn out as we had planned,” the company tweeted shortly after 9:30 p.m. “We’re filming it right now, and we’ll have it on Netflix as soon as possible.” Thank you once more, and please accept my apologies.”
To everyone who stayed up late, woke up early, gave up their Sunday afternoon… we are incredibly sorry that the Love is Blind Live Reunion did not turn out as we had planned. We're filming it now and we'll have it on Netflix as soon as humanly possible. Again, thank you and…
— Netflix (@netflix) April 17, 2023
Last night, some people were able to see the special. For those who weren’t aware, Netflix later announced that it will be available on Monday at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET.
