Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s boxing match on Friday night carries significant implications not just for the fighters, but also for Netflix, marking a milestone as the streaming giant’s largest live sports event thus far. This encounter presents Netflix with a critical moment to gauge its capacity for handling viewer demand as it prepares for high-profile events in the NFL and WWE.
The fight, which will transpire at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, features Paul, the YouTube sensation-turned-professional boxer, face-to-face with Tyson, the iconic former heavyweight champion at 58 years of age. The match promises to be available for Netflix’s staggering 280 million subscribers without incurring any extra fees. Viewers can tune in to the live stream in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German. Originally slated for July 20, the match’s launch was postponed due to a medical incident involving Tyson, who required recovery from a stomach ulcer.
Despite several inquiries, Netflix refrained from making any executive available for comments regarding their expectations for the fight. Translator Doug Anmuth from JP Morgan Chase maintains an unwavering belief that this event could potentially become the most watched boxing match in history. While that may be a lofty standard considering that an estimated one billion people tuned into four of Muhammad Ali’s fights, the modern American record stands at 4.6 million views for the 2015 clash between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, a benchmark that may be within reach.
Anmuth provided an analysis noting, “We believe the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight could be the most-watched boxing match ever given ease of access and Netflix’s whopping global subscriber base. It is likely to draw in ad tier subscribers, viewers, and revenue.” He further emphasized Netflix’s increasing focus on sports entertainment and live events, suggesting that the possibility for more live sports acquisitions may grow as the company’s negotiating power strengthens.
Netflix has historically utilized live sports as a complement to its various documentaries and series. The recent documentary series “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson,” which gives a preview of the fight schedule, achieved impressive viewership, ranking as Netflix’s second most-watched program on Thursday night.
Past events, like the Netflix Cup combining Formula 1 and PGA tour golfers, have illustrated the successful integration of various entertainment formats. The upcoming Netflix Slam exhibition featuring tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz is another example, tied in with promotional content leading into a new documentary series about Alcaraz, set to air in the following year.
Highlighting its strategy, the NFL chose Netflix to host a doubleheader of games on Christmas Day, thanks to the popularity of the shows “Quarterback” and “Receiver,” both of which landed within Netflix’s top global series rankings.
For the production of Friday’s boxing match, Most Valuable Promotions is at the helm, while CBS is responsible for the two NFL games streaming on Netflix. Furthermore, as WWE content becomes available on Netflix beginning January 5, it will manage the production of all its events, including “Raw” in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Latin America, with plans to expand further as existing contracts come to an end. Notably, Netflix will also soon host all WWE shows and premium live events outside the U.S.
Media consultant Patrick Crakes commented on the operational aspects, saying, “This sets the stage for a valuable trial run in executing live events. Their main challenge may stem from meeting unprecedented volume and viewer engagement. The pressure lies in ensuring smooth operations rather than worrying about who tunes in for NFL games.” Crakes concluded that with the experienced teams managing production, Netflix is poised to navigate this moment effectively.