Netflix’s bold move into live-event streaming achieved a major victory with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match on November 15. Broadcast from AT&T Stadium in Texas, the event drew a peak of 65 million viewers and generated $18 million in ticket sales—the second-largest gate in boxing history outside Las Vegas.
This milestone is part of Netflix’s strategy to provide high-engagement live content without relying on expensive sports league contracts. Recent experiments include a hotdog-eating contest and a golf tournament, positioning Netflix as a hub for curated, event-style sports entertainment.
The success of the Paul-Tyson fight boosted Netflix shares by over 2%, hitting record highs. Analysts attribute the increase to Netflix’s innovative approach to live sports, which avoids season-long commitments and instead focuses on exclusive, high-profile matches.
Netflix’s next live sports venture is set for Christmas Day, featuring two NFL games. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos emphasized the “event model” as a driver of engagement, excitement, and advertising opportunities, saying, “We’re in live because our members love it.”
Despite some viewer complaints about streaming glitches, the fight solidifies Netflix’s status as a competitor in live broadcasting. By avoiding traditional broadcasting pitfalls and tailoring content to its digital audience, Netflix continues to redefine entertainment streaming
