YouTube TV VOD Olympics spoilers' issue being looked into

It’s the Olympics! A time for thrilling sportsmanship, heart-pounding races, and… spoilers? That’s right. YouTube TV has managed to throw a wrench into the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics by plastering VOD spoilers all over their DVR options. This disregards the cardinal rule of sportsmanship: suspense!

Frustrated fans have taken to social media and forums to vent their anger. The spoiler storm began as soon as the games kicked off. Every day, excited viewers ready to dive into the action are hit with unwanted spoilers that reveal the outcomes of the events they were eager to watch. It’s like getting a peek at your birthday presents before you even blow out the candles.

YouTube TV’s support team quickly acknowledged the blunder. On X (formerly known as Twitter), they’ve assured users they are working on a fix “right now,” while over on Reddit, they’ve apologized for the frustration multiple times and promised to keep users updated. Despite their assurances, the damage was already done.

From the reports, the on-demand videos on YouTube TV are riddled with spoiler-filled titles and thumbnails. Whether it’s rugby, soccer, or any other sport, the results are right there in front of you. And don’t even get started on the unskippable ads that precede these VOD clips. For many, this ruined the suspense and thrill of watching the games unfold.

The situation is eerily reminiscent of the Tokyo Olympics debacle. Spoilers were still a topic then, too, and it seems history is repeating itself. This time around, viewers are even more vocal, with some considering jumping ship to other streaming services like Hulu, Peacock, or Fubo.

The real kicker? Even hiding scores doesn’t solve the problem. Highlight videos with spoiler titles are mixed in with the recordings, making it impossible to avoid spoilers unless you completely avert your eyes and navigate the menus like a ninja.

Resourceful users have discovered a workaround, at least for desktop/laptop users. By using the uBlock Origin extension on a desktop browser, viewers can filter out those pesky VOD entries. It’s not a perfect solution, but for now, it’s the best way to dodge spoilers and keep the Olympic spirit alive.

As for YouTube TV, the ball is in their court. With the public outcry growing louder and the games now into the second week, they need to act fast. Will they finally deliver a spoiler-free viewing experience, or will this remain an ongoing issue until the next Olympics event? Only time will tell. For now, grab that uBlock extension and enjoy the games without the spoilers.

Featured image: Olympics.com