In Brief

• The live streaming of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on Netflix was marred by technical issues, with freezing and buffering reported by millions of viewers.
• The incident has put a spotlight on Netflix’s live event capabilities, which have been growing in recent months.
• The streamer has a little over a month to make improvements before airing two NFL games on Christmas Day and WWE Raw in January.

The Glitchy Experience

Friday evening’s boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul was supposed to be a highlight of Netflix’s live event lineup. However, the real story was not about the fight itself but about the technical issues that plagued the stream. Millions of viewers reported experiencing freezing and buffering, with some even taking to social media to express their frustration using the hashtag #NetflixCrash.

Downdetector Reports

According to Downdetector, a website that tracks outages and technical issues, over 1 million reports were submitted in 50 countries, including 530,000 in the United States. The issues peaked at around 11 p.m. Eastern, with many viewers unable to access the stream.

Paul’s Victory

Despite the technical issues, Jake Paul emerged victorious in the eight-round match, declaring "This is the biggest event. Over 120 million people on Netflix. We crashed the site." The numbers are likely inflated, but it’s safe to say that this was one of the most-watched live events on Netflix.

Netflix’s Live Event Growth

While this was a major test for Netflix’s live infrastructure, the streamer has been ramping up its live lineup in recent months. Exhibition golf and tennis matches, live talk shows, and awards ceremonies have all been added to the mix without major issues. However, this was the biggest event to date, and it will be interesting to see how the company responds.

A Test for Netflix

The technical issues experienced during the Tyson/Paul match are a clear test for Netflix’s live infrastructure. The streamer has a little over a month to make improvements before airing two NFL games on Christmas Day and WWE Raw in January. If they can’t get it right, it will be a major embarrassment for the company.

Background

Netflix has stumbled with live programming before, including the delayed broadcast of the Season 4 reunion of "Love Is Blind" last year. However, since then, the streamer has been pushing forward with its live event lineup, and this was the biggest test to date.

Viewership Numbers

While Netflix doesn’t release selective data about its viewership, they did report that 60 million households watched the fight live, with viewership peaking at around 65 million concurrent streams. This is a huge number, especially considering the technical issues that plagued the stream.

A Bright Future for Live Events

Despite the setbacks, Netflix has shown a commitment to growing its live event lineup. With the right infrastructure and support, it’s clear that the company can deliver high-quality live events to its viewers. The question now is whether they can get it right in time for their upcoming NFL games and WWE Raw.

The Road Ahead

In the coming weeks and months, Netflix will be putting its live event capabilities to the test once again. With two NFL games on Christmas Day and WWE Raw in January, the streamer has a little over a month to make improvements before it’s put under the microscope again. Will they be able to deliver a smooth viewing experience? Only time will tell.

A Commitment to Improvement

While the technical issues experienced during the Tyson/Paul match were undoubtedly frustrating for viewers, Netflix seems committed to improving its live event capabilities. With a little over a month to go before their next big test, it’s clear that the company is taking steps to address the problems and provide a better viewing experience for its users.

Conclusion

The live streaming of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on Netflix was a major test for the streamer’s infrastructure. While technical issues plagued the stream, it’s clear that Netflix has made significant strides in growing its live event lineup. With a little over a month to make improvements before their next big test, the company is committed to delivering high-quality live events to its viewers.