Paul, Tyson, Netflix.
Netflix has called it “the most-streamed global sporting event ever.”
Ok, FINE. Clearly, we must talk about the much-spotlighted Paul vs Tyson boxing event. This was arguably Netflix’s most global LIVE event yet. Putting aside hyper-localised (US) roasts and hot dog eating competitions, this was more mainstream, with athletes from across the world and an undercard arguably a bigger fight than the- let’s face it- questionably dramatic main card.
Here in Asia, Netflix’s foray into Live feels more real.
There have been so many takes on this, I won’t bother rounding them up. My quick takes:
It seems like Netflix achieved a rare ‘water-cooler’ moment. The kind that is supposedly being slowly strangled by a fragmented world.
Numbers: 65 million households/concurrent streams (23m of those outside the US). Average minute audience (AMA) of 108 million live viewers globally. 225m viewing hours. Most streamers would love those numbers. Yes, including Youtube.
Many viewers complained of technical issues. Netflix has acknowledged this, though we have no details. (I have not heard of any issues across South & Southeast Asia). Commenters have brought the knives out. Some of it is justified; this is not Netflix’s first (nor second, nor third) Live event and you would expect them to have this sorted.
Glitches in Live events are not unheard of by any stretch, even in the ‘stable’ satellite/cable TV space. Netflix should cop some flak, but this is not a damning indictment or a failure.
The main fight was, by all accounts, a bit of a damp squib ( I stop short of calling it a ‘sham’, but many have). But with Jake Paul and a 58yr old in the mix, that should come as little surprise.
This is not some win for ‘creators’ vs ‘traditional media’. Far from, but I have seen this take and find it a tad absurd. ‘Creators’ didn’t make this happen- a full-fledged boxing promotion, the leading streamer in the world, and some pots of cash made this happen. It happened to feature someone who made their fame on Youtube. Plus, Netflix is ‘traditional media now? Bah.
On Christmas Day, Netflix has some big NFL action coming up. They have announced a Beyonce performance during one of the games. There better not be any buffering happening then!