Netflix’s highly anticipated live fight event featuring boxing legend Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul stumbled out of the gate, facing widespread technical difficulties before the main event even began.
As undercard bouts kicked off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the streaming giant was plagued by freezing screens, audio dropouts, and pixelated visuals, leaving viewers frustrated and vocal on social media.
Fans Slam Netflix’s Streaming Issues
From the start, fight fans across the country reported repeated buffering, muffled sound, and smeared visuals. Many took to social media to air their grievances, with one user tweeting, “This live stream from #Netflix is horrendous. Buffering on and off, pixelated image, muffled sound. If I had purchased a subscription for this event, I would demand a refund first thing tomorrow.” The hashtags #NetflixCrash and #unwatchable quickly began trending online.
While Netflix avoided a complete platform crash reminiscent of its 2016 Luke Cage debut, the persistent streaming issues marred the ambitious live sports event, which is the most significant in Netflix’s history under Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters. Despite numerous customer complaints, the streamer declined to comment on the technical problems.
High Stakes and Celebrity Glamour
The event, which drew over 80,000 fans to the stadium and millions more online, was Netflix’s boldest foray into live sports broadcasting. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke about the collaboration with Netflix, though his microphone cut out during the broadcast, symbolizing the night’s technical troubles.
The fight card also featured major bouts, including Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, a rematch for multiple championship titles. Stars like Charlize Theron, Joe Jonas, Shaquille O’Neal, and Rob Gronkowski attended ringside, adding to the spectacle. Netflix infused the event with promotional material for its hit shows like Squid Game and Cobra Kai, alongside old-school boxing coverage, including locker room interviews with Tyson and Paul.
A Throwback Feel with Modern Hiccups
Despite the glitches, some fans noted the event’s nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic Tyson fights from the 1980s and 1990s. However, not all elements were welcome. Commentary by Rosie Perez, dubbed the “First Lady of Boxing,” included a jab at an unexpected locker room shot of Tyson in a jockstrap, quipping, “We could have done without that butt shot.”
Netflix’s Ambitious Future in Sports
This event was a significant test for Netflix as it ventures further into live sports, with plans to stream NFL games on Christmas Day and host WWE’s Monday Night Raw. While the Tyson vs. Paul fight drew plenty of attention, the technical challenges underscore the hurdles the platform must overcome to compete in the high-stakes world of live sports broadcasting.
As fans continued to vent online, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy summed up the sentiment with a blunt critique, reflecting the frustration of a night that promised spectacle but delivered uneven results.
