Netflix faces streaming interruptions ahead of Tyson-Paul matchup

LOS ANGELES — Netflix’s initial foray into live sports broadcasting faced significant challenges, as viewers reported numerous streaming issues during the highly anticipated fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul on Friday night. Many fans took to social platforms such as Twitter/X and Bluesky to voice their dissatisfaction with buffering and other streaming difficulties that arose before and throughout the event.

The match consisted of eight rounds, each lasting two minutes, diverging from the traditional three-minute rounds seen in most professional bouts. Ultimately, Paul emerged victorious by unanimous decision.

In the aftermath of the event, Netflix has remained silent on the streaming troubles that plagued viewers, failing to respond to inquiries about the situation. This fight marked Netflix’s most significant live sports event to date, representing a crucial test for the streaming service as it prepares for the impending live broadcasts of NFL games and WWE content.

The bout, which aired from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, featured the 58-year-old Tyson, a former heavyweight champion, facing off against Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer. The event was streamed globally to Netflix’s vast audience of 280 million subscribers without any additional charge.

Looking forward, Netflix is set to air two NFL games on Christmas Day and will kick off its live streaming of WWE “Raw” on January 6, marking an ambitious expansion into the world of live sports programming.