The highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson became a global phenomenon, setting a new streaming record. Netflix reported that the live broadcast of the fight, aired on Friday, attracted a staggering 108 million viewers worldwide, making it the “most-streamed sporting event ever.”
The event, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, saw 65 million concurrent viewers in the U.S., with an impressive 56% of all TV viewers in the country tuned into the Tyson-Paul fight during the time slot from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, according to Netflix.
In addition to the main event, the co-main fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano also captured global attention, with 74 million viewers tuning in. This made it the “most-watched professional women’s sports event in U.S. history.”
A Look at the Tyson-Paul Fight and More on Netflix
Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in a much-discussed showdown, with millions of fans watching the action unfold. The live broadcast claimed the No. 1 title on Netflix in the U.S. and 78 other countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, and South Africa.
Despite the record-breaking viewership, some Netflix users encountered technical issues, including buffering, poor video quality, and audio problems, which were widely reported on social media. Netflix acknowledged these concerns and vowed to address them for future live sports broadcasts.
The streaming giant is already preparing for its next big event: a Christmas Day NFL doubleheader featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens facing the Houston Texans, with a halftime performance by Beyoncé.
