108 Million viewers tuned in for Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul – Breaking record for the most-watched sports event ever

The Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match has shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sports event in history. Hosted on Netflix, this historic fight showcased a massive shift in how audiences consume live sports content worldwide.

Unprecedented Viewership Milestones

The Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight drew an astounding 108 million global viewers, making it the most-watched combat sports event of 2024. At its peak, the match reached 65 million concurrent streams, including 38 million in the U.S. According to TVision, 56% of all U.S. TV viewers between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. EST tuned in to watch the action unfold.

On Netflix, the event dominated as the platform’s #1 title of the week, with 46.6 million hours viewed by Sunday night. The fight was the top title in 78 countries, including the U.S., UK, India, Brazil, and Canada, and placed in the Top 10 in 91 nations globally.

Taylor vs. Serrano: Historic Co-Main Event

The co-main bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano set a new standard for women’s sports viewership. It attracted an estimated 74 million global viewers and a 47 million average minute audience in the U.S., making it the most-watched women’s professional sports event in U.S. history.

Streaming Challenges Addressed

Despite its incredible success, the event wasn’t without issues. Viewers reported technical difficulties, including buffering and connection problems. Netflix’s Chief Technology Officer, Elizabeth Stone, acknowledged the concerns and promised improvements to the platform’s live-streaming infrastructure.

A New Era for Streaming Live Sports

The overwhelming success of the Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight reflects a significant shift in sports media consumption. With streaming services like Netflix now hosting major live events, the era of traditional sports broadcasters faces disruption.

The fight’s impact extended beyond the screen, generating over 1.4 billion impressions across Netflix’s global social channels. Moreover, Netflix’s shares soared to record highs following the viewership announcement, solidifying investor confidence in its strategic move into live sports broadcasting.

The success of both the Tyson-Paul and Taylor-Serrano fights demonstrates the potential of streaming platforms to redefine the live sports landscape. As audiences increasingly favor digital platforms, Netflix has positioned itself as a formidable player in this growing market.