Mayweather-Pacquiao fight delayed with demand causing problems for cable, satellite systems

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The most anticipated boxing fight in years was delayed because of high pay-per-view demand causing problems for cable and satellite systems.

Jim Lampley, the main telecaster for the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao showdown in Las Vegas told viewers Saturday night that “electronic overload” caused cable and satellite operators to ask for a delay.

Scores of angry tweets directed at various providers complained of problems with both ordering and watching. Some users said when they tried to order, the fight wasn’t available. Others complained of picture problems or an inability to tune to the pay-per-view channel.

Customer service Twitter accounts for Dish Network and Cox Communications asked users whether they ordered standard definition or high definition feeds of the fight, indicating there may be issues with the standard definition feed. A similar account for DirecTV referred users toward a troubleshooting website.

The bout is expected to be the most popular in pay-per-view history, with an estimated 3 million households buying the fight at nearly $100 each.

“We’re seeing and gracefully managing a lot of demand — which is a good thing,” Dish Network spokesman Bob Toevs said.

Time Warner Cable spokesman Dennis Johnson said the operator was doing as much as possible to resolve the issues.

DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said “heavy PPV volume” caused some ordering issues.