The most famous tennis tournament in the world is currently taking place in Wimbledon. Which also means: “The Queue” is back, the most famous queue in the world. In the first week of the tournament, it forms every day on a lawn in the neighboring park. There, people camp, eat and celebrate before everyone lines up in the early hours of the morning to get one of the coveted day tickets. The queue then stretches for several kilometers to the tournament grounds. It is an impressive spectacle every time.
And so back to Germany, back to the European Football Championship. On Tuesday evening with the round of 16 match between Austria and Turkey. Sounds promising, I’ll tune in. The problem: it’s being broadcast exclusively on Magenta TV. But who has access to that? Apart from maybe a few dedicated basketball, ice hockey or third division fans.
Just get back in line?
But that’s fine. It’s worth 10 euros for a trial subscription. I’ve spent a lot more money on much worse football games. After a few clicks on the website, however, I read a warning: the demand is so “overwhelming” that there are delays in signing up for new subscriptions. At least: In order not to annoy anyone, the game is shown during the payment process.
So I get in line. The stream runs as promised, and a display informs me where I am in the queue. My position at kickoff: 53,387. Sounds like this could take a while. I’m allowed to watch until the 33rd minute, then the screen changes. Congratulations! You can now pay. But wait. What actually happens if I get back in line?
In the final phase of Youtube
So back I go. And look: this time we start at position 107,219. Great! That can take even longer. This time I can look until the 50th minute of the game. Then I go back to position 88,312. When I reach position 1927, I suddenly stop moving for several minutes. Probably an old granny rummaging around in the coin compartment at the cash register to pay the right amount. But that suits me fine today. She can look a little longer if she wants.
In the 70th minute of the game, the nightmare is over. Suddenly there is no queue anymore. What a pity! But shortly afterwards I discover why this might be: Magenta TV is now streaming the game for free on YouTube. I watch the final phase there, but my attitude towards waiting has changed. Oh, how nice it is to queue! Maybe I should go to Wimbledon again.
