Netflix Reports ‘Record-Breaking’ Viewership for Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Fight
Netflix made a bold entry into live sports broadcasting with the airing of the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul on Friday, claiming the event was a major success despite facing some technical issues.
Following Paul’s unanimous decision victory over Tyson, Netflix revealed that over 60 million households tuned in to the live stream from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Additionally, the co-main event featuring a rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano attracted 50 million households, ranking it as one of the “most viewed professional women’s sports events in U.S. history,” according to Netflix.
However, the streaming service admitted that the live event had its share of problems. Many viewers voiced their dissatisfaction regarding issues like buffering, poor screen quality, and audio glitches. They stated, “The boxing mega-event took over social media, set new records, and even had our buffering systems struggling.”
This fight was Netflix’s first foray into live sports. The platform also has plans to stream an NFL doubleheader on Christmas Day, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Houston Texans.