Netflix’s foray into live sports streaming with the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul attracted a huge global audience that reached 65 million viewers, but resulted in thousands of viewer complaints about connection issues and frozen screens .
“We hacked the site,” said Paul, 27, after claiming victory over 58-year-old Tyson. “This is the biggest event.”
In an internal company memo, seen by Bloomberg Newschief technology officer Elizabeth Stone said the fight attracted on , rivaling some of the most-watched sporting events.
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Some of those viewers, however, took to social media to vent their frustration at the glitches in the broadcast of the highly anticipated clash.
More than 100,000 users reported network issues on the Downdetector website during the live broadcast, commenting on “buffer slow” and network problems.
Even boxer Evander Holyfield was having trouble listening to the show’s host when he was asked about his infamous fight with Tyson.
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Netflix declined to comment on the overall outcome of the event.
Netflix in sports
The company’s biggest livestream event is part of its ambition to boost its fledgling advertising business.
Netflix has been investing in its live event capabilities for mega spectacles like the boxing match following previous live streaming missteps like the Love Is Blind reunion debacle.
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The platform aired a teaser for upcoming Christmas Day NFL games during Friday’s fight.
boring fight
The fight between former heavyweight champion Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas failed to live up to expectations, with critics calling it a lackluster fight.
The judges unanimously decided that Paul won the fight after eight rounds without a knockout.
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Tyson came out of retirement to face Paul, with the match expected to be a key subscription booster for Netflix.
There is potential for earnings of $10 million overall in the fourth quarter, 11% ahead of consensus, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.
Before the fight, users of the social media site X complained that they were unable to stream the event, with one sarcastically thanking Netflix for “bringing us back to the glory days of dial-up internet”.
“Serious? Didn’t you make sure you didn’t have server issues?” posted a user called TheYounger in response to a Netflix post announcing the fight.
© 2024 Bloomberg LP
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