According to Most Valuable Promotions, the event’s official promoter, Netflix reached an all-time high of 65 million concurrent streams during the highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. These streams were distributed across 60 million households globally, setting a remarkable benchmark for the streaming giant.
Based on last year’s audience numbers, this figure significantly surpasses the expected viewership for Netflix’s upcoming Christmas Day NFL game.
However, the surge in traffic didn’t come without challenges. Many users experienced buffering issues, dropped connections, and poor stream quality, sparking complaints across social media platforms. Monitoring site Downdetector reported over 100,000 user issues during the live event, highlighting the strain on Netflix’s servers.
The event’s success showcases the growing demand for live-streamed events on digital platforms. For context, Disney+ Hotstar previously hit 59 million concurrent streams during a World Cup cricket match last year, a number that Netflix has now far exceeded.
60 million households around the world tuned in live to watch Paul vs. Tyson!
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
The boxing mega-event dominated social media, shattered records, and even had our buffering systems on the ropes. pic.twitter.com/kA8LjfAJSk
Addressing the technical hurdles, Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone acknowledged the unprecedented scale of the event. “We prioritized maintaining stream stability for most viewers,” she said in an internal memo. While admitting that there’s room for improvement, Stone called the event a “huge success.”
Netflix’s achievement not only sets a new streaming record but also emphasizes the platform’s capability to host massive live events, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital entertainment.
