NEW YORK (Reuters) – A Friday showdown between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul marks Netflix’s latest foray into Netflix live sports. The media giant plans to capitalize on sports’ shift to streaming. This event highlights Netflix’s growing interest in live sports and sets the stage for more such broadcasts. #NetflixLiveSports
This event features a clash between 58-year-old Tyson, appealing to older fans. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Paul attracts younger, social media-savvy viewers.
The fight will be available to Netflix’s over 280 million subscribers at no extra charge. This offers a refreshing alternative for American boxing fans used to paying extra for major matches on HBO.
“The trend in all sports right now is moving some of their properties to streaming,” said Bob Dorfman, a veteran San Francisco-based sports marketing analyst.
“This is two huge personalities – it does have the potential to be the biggest streaming sports event.”
In 2018, HBO announced it would stop broadcasting live boxing, ending a 45-year partnership with the sport and creating a broadcasting gap.
Netflix has experimented with sports content before, including exhibition golf, tennis events, and the hit docuseries “Formula 1: Drive to Survive.” The series is credited with increasing auto racing’s popularity in the U.S.
Netflix’s first live boxing event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, aligns with its strategy to offer exclusive content unavailable elsewhere.
Although the fight won’t feature traditional advertising, sponsors will include their messages in the live-streamed event.
Advertising is not a major revenue source for Netflix, though its ad-supported tier has grown rapidly, with 70 million subscribers reported.
The mega-event signals a lasting partnership between sports and streaming, according to Neal Pilson, former CBS Sports president. He predicts streaming and traditional broadcasts will coexist for the foreseeable future. #NetflixLiveSports
“This is a one-time-only event… It’s more as a novelty in my view. It doesn’t change the industry,” said Pilson, president of Pilson Communications.
“The industry is still going to be driven by the league deals (like) MLS, NFL, Major League Baseball.”
Netflix’s Bold Step into Live Sports: A Game Changer for Streaming
The fight between Paul and Tyson is not just a boxing match; it’s a key moment for Netflix. The platform’s focus on Netflix live sports could lead to more events, positioning Netflix as a leader in streaming sports content. With such a high-profile event, Netflix might just knock it out of the park and further solidify its streaming dominance.
