How can DAZN improve its live streaming quality to reduce buffering during high-traffic events?

Introduction

To improve DAZN's live streaming quality and reduce buffering during high-traffic events, we need to analyze the current system, identify pain points, and develop innovative solutions. I'll approach this challenge by examining user segments, analyzing pain points, generating solutions, and proposing metrics for success.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (5 mins)

• Looking at DAZN's position in the sports streaming market, I'm curious about the scale of high-traffic events we're dealing with. Could you provide some context on the typical concurrent viewer count during peak events, and how this compares to our average daily active users?

Why it matters: Determines the scale of the technical challenge and helps prioritize solutions. Expected answer: Peak events see 5-10x normal concurrent users, straining our infrastructure. Impact on approach: Would focus on scalable architecture and load balancing solutions.

• Considering the global nature of sports events, I'm wondering about our current content delivery network (CDN) setup. Can you share insights on our CDN strategy, including geographic distribution and any recent optimizations?

Why it matters: CDN efficiency is crucial for reducing latency and buffering. Expected answer: Global CDN with some regional gaps, especially in emerging markets. Impact on approach: Would prioritize CDN expansion and optimization in underserved areas.

• Given the competitive landscape in sports streaming, I'm interested in understanding our current customer satisfaction metrics related to streaming quality. Do we have Net Promoter Score (NPS) data or churn rates specifically tied to streaming performance issues?

Why it matters: Helps quantify the business impact of streaming quality improvements. Expected answer: NPS drops 15-20 points during high-traffic events with streaming issues. Impact on approach: Would focus on solutions with the highest potential to improve NPS and reduce churn.

• Considering the complexity of live sports streaming, I'm curious about our current technical stack. Could you provide an overview of our video encoding, adaptive bitrate streaming, and player technologies?

Why it matters: Identifies potential bottlenecks and areas for technological improvement. Expected answer: Using H.264 encoding, HLS/DASH streaming, with a custom player. Impact on approach: Would explore cutting-edge codecs and streaming protocols for efficiency gains.