Netflix’s streaming of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match shattered records, but left some viewers seeing pixelated punches.
At a Glance
- 60 million households worldwide tuned in for the Paul-Tyson match on Netflix
- The event peaked at 65 million concurrent streams, setting a Netflix record
- Jake Paul, 27, won against 58-year-old Mike Tyson by unanimous decision
- Nearly 50 million households watched the co-main event between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano
- Over 90,000 users reported streaming issues during the event’s peak
Netflix’s Knockout Numbers
Netflix’s foray into live sports broadcasting with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match drew an astounding 60 million households worldwide.
The event, which pitted social media sensation turned boxer Jake Paul against legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson, wasn’t just a clash of generations—it was a test of Netflix’s ability to handle high-stakes live events. At its peak, the fight garnered 65 million concurrent streams, setting a new record for the streaming giant and solidifying its position as a major player in sports broadcasting.
The match’s success wasn’t limited to viewership numbers. Ticket revenue exceeded $18 million, doubling the previous record set by a Canelo Alvarez fight and becoming the highest-grossing combat sports gate in Texas history. The event, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, drew 72,300 attendees, marking the largest boxing gate outside Las Vegas in U.S. history. These figures underscore the massive appeal of this unconventional matchup, blending Paul’s internet fame with Tyson’s boxing legacy.
Jake Paul bows to Mike Tyson at the end of the match. #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/FUQGZVyADQ
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
Streaming Struggles
Despite the record-breaking viewership, Netflix’s triumph was not without its hiccups. Over 90,000 users reported streaming issues during the event’s peak, with many taking to social media to voice their frustrations over pixelated video quality. The outage lasted roughly six hours in the United States but was resolved by Saturday. These technical difficulties highlight the challenges streaming platforms face when transitioning into live sports broadcasting, especially for events of this magnitude.
“The boxing-mega event dominated social media, shattered records and even had our buffering systems on the ropes,” Netflix said in a statement, acknowledging the technical challenges faced during the event.
Elizabeth Stone, a Netflix executive, addressed the quality issues in an internal memo, stating, “This unprecedented scale created many technical challenges, which the launch team tackled brilliantly by prioritizing stability of the stream for the majority of viewers. I’m sure many of you have seen the chatter in the press and on social media about the quality issues. We don’t want to dismiss the poor experience of some members, and know we have room for improvement, but still consider this event a huge success.”
Beyond the Main Event
The Paul-Tyson fight wasn’t the only success story of the night. The co-main event between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano drew nearly 50 million households, marking it as potentially the most-watched professional women’s sporting event in U.S. history. This milestone underscores the growing appeal of women’s boxing and the power of streaming platforms to showcase diverse sporting events to a global audience.
“Nearly 50 million households tuned in for the co-main event between Ireland’s lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Puerto Rico’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano,” Netflix said.
The event’s impact extended beyond the ring, with social media engagement reaching new heights. The #PaulTyson hashtag trended as the top topic worldwide, while #Serrano trended in multiple countries. This digital buzz translated into real-world effects, with DoorDash reporting higher food delivery volumes during the fight than during the Super Bowl, according to Andy Fang, DoorDash co-founder.
Maybe live sport is the next big thing for Netflix.
