Netflix’s first live boxing event, featuring Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, attracted an impressive 60 million households worldwide but was marred by technical glitches that left fans frustrated.
The fight, free for subscribers, was hosted at the AT&T Stadium in Texas and marked the streaming giant’s ambitious entry into live sports.
While Netflix hailed the event as a “record-breaking night,” viewers expressed disappointment over repeated crashes and streaming issues.
The highly anticipated match saw 58-year-old Tyson, a former world heavyweight champion, face off against 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Despite Tyson’s legendary status and Paul’s appeal to younger audiences, the fight received mixed reviews, with many describing it as underwhelming. Jake Paul ultimately emerged victorious in the bout.
The event drew significant media attention, with a star-studded audience that included Charlize Theron, Joe Jonas, and Hasan Minhaj.
Jake Paul claimed 120 million global viewers tuned in, though Netflix later clarified that 60 million households accessed the fight live.
However, the buzz was overshadowed by technical problems.
Fans across social media vented frustrations over buffering, crashing streams, and the inability to access the fight during key moments.
One viewer, Brendan Ashford from the UK, shared his experience of staying up late only for Netflix to fail to load the stream properly. “It was really disappointing,” he said.
Social media platforms were flooded with complaints, with users sharing screenshots of error messages and accusing Netflix of failing to prepare adequately.
“The fight was unwatchable,” one user lamented, while another criticized the streaming service for letting subscribers down during such a high-profile event.
This isn’t Netflix’s first stumble with live streaming.
In 2023, the platform faced backlash for technical issues during the live reunion of Love is Blind.
The recurring problems raise questions about Netflix’s readiness to handle live events, especially as it plans to expand into live sports, including an upcoming WWE deal.
Tech journalist Chris Stokel-Walker attributed the issues to overwhelming demand.
“This fight had unparalleled hype, combining Tyson’s return to the ring and Jake Paul’s massive following,” he explained.
He emphasized the importance of Netflix improving its infrastructure to manage the high traffic that live sports inevitably bring.
As Netflix ventures further into live sports broadcasting, its ability to deliver seamless streaming will be critical.
For now, the Tyson vs. Paul event has sparked both excitement and skepticism about the platform’s future in this competitive arena.
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