Netflix is under fire following widespread streaming disruptions during the highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul on November 15. Promoted as “the most-watched sports event on the planet,” the live stream faltered repeatedly, prompting a class-action lawsuit filed on November 18.
The lead plaintiff, a Florida resident, is seeking $50 million in damages, alleging that Netflix failed to deliver a stable streaming experience despite extensive marketing and an anticipated surge in viewers. The lawsuit accuses Netflix of breaching its contractual obligation to provide uninterrupted service, causing millions of fans to miss key moments of the bout.
“60 million Americans eagerly tuned in to watch ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet,’ square off against boxer Jake Paul,” the lawsuit states. Instead, viewers reportedly encountered persistent technical issues, including freezing, lagging, and complete disconnections during the broadcast.
Netflix Responds Amid Technical Glitches
Although Netflix has yet to issue a formal response to the lawsuit, the company acknowledged post-event that the streaming service faced challenges during the unprecedented broadcast. Netflix’s Chief Technology Officer, Elizabeth Stone, admitted, “We are aware of the technical issues reported by some viewers. While there is room for improvement, we still consider this event a major success.”
The fight, delayed from its original summer schedule, marked Netflix’s first foray into broadcasting a global sporting event of such magnitude. The platform claimed it attracted over 108 million viewers worldwide, with 65 million simultaneous streams—a significant milestone but one fraught with technical hurdles.
Stone praised the technical team for managing the event’s massive scale, stating they prioritized stream stability for the majority of users. However, she acknowledged the backlash, citing discussions on social media and in the press about quality concerns.
Context and Comparisons
The Tyson-Paul fight’s streaming numbers were impressive, but they fell short of breaking the all-time streaming record held by the FIFA World Cup 2022 final, which drew over 1 billion viewers globally, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While Netflix aimed to solidify its position in the live sports market, the controversy surrounding this event could tarnish its reputation as a reliable platform for high-profile broadcasts. The lawsuit now adds another layer of scrutiny, as Netflix grapples with balancing technical demands and user expectations in its bid to dominate live sports streaming.
