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Image Courtesy: Netflix
Netflix experienced a brief outage on 26th November as millions of fans logged in to watch the highly anticipated premiere of 'Stranger Things' season 5. The first four episodes of the final season dropped at 5 p.m. PT, triggering a surge in traffic that temporarily interrupted streaming for some users.
Viewers took to social media to express their frustration, with many saying they had waited three years for the final season and could not access the platform. The sudden downtime locked fans out just as Hawkins reopened for its final chapter.
A Netflix spokesperson later confirmed that some members encountered short-lived streaming issues on TV devices. However, the company stated that the problem was quickly resolved and full service was restored for all accounts within five minutes.
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Image Courtesy: Tudum
Earlier that day, 'Stranger Things' co-creator Ross Duffer had shared that Netflix had increased its bandwidth by 30 per cent in preparation for the premiere, claiming the move was intended to prevent any crashes due to overwhelming viewer demand.
'Stranger Things' Season 5 Details and Setting
Netflix previously revealed that season 5 will take place in the fall of 1987. This marks a relatively small time jump from season 4, which was set in spring 1986 and was released three years earlier. The new setting keeps the story closely connected to previous events while moving the narrative toward its conclusion.
The final season will see the main characters face the Upside Down for one last showdown. Fan favourites, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Winona Ryder and David Harbour all return for the series finale.
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Image Courtesy: Tudum
The Duffer Brothers have also confirmed that 'Stranger Things' season 5 will be shorter than season 4, which had a total runtime of around 13 hours. They have described the final episodes as more fast-paced, with less build-up and a stronger focus on resolution and payoff, comparing the structure to the final act of an epic blockbuster.
Episode Count and Runtime of 'Stranger Things' Season 5
Netflix's Tudum event confirmed that 'Stranger Things' season 5 consists of eight episodes in total. The runtimes for the first four episodes were also revealed:
Episode 1 runs for 1 hour and 8 minutes
Episode 2 runs for 54 minutes
Episode 3 runs for 1 hour and 6 minutes
Episode 4 runs for 1 hour and 23 minutes
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
Episodes 5, 6 and 7 are scheduled to premiere on 25th December, with the series finale arriving on 31st December.
Despite the brief Netflix crash, the massive response highlights just how strong the show's global fanbase remains. As the final episodes approach, anticipation for the conclusion of Eleven and the Hawkins crew's journey against the Upside Down continues to intensify.
