Streaming giant with 300 million subscribers worldwide, looking to break 65 million viewers with fight of the year

Gone are the times when Netflix was simply all about documentaries, movies and series, these days the streaming giant knows that sport is big business and commands a substantial numbers of viewers.

Coming soon form the platform in the live sport arena will be the the eagerly awaited fight between Saúl Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, scheduled for September 13 in Las Vegas.

This Tuesday, the service with over 300 million subscribers worldwide confirmed the news as they bid to overshadow the 65 million viewers who tuned in live to watch Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul in 2024. That was its first serious foray into boxing. The second featured Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano and now Netflix show their statement of intent securing the rights to show the Canelo fight.

Venue to be decided

For the first time, two undisputed champions from different weight classes will collide on a free (subscribers) global card, without pay-per-view. Crawford, undefeated and ambitious, will move up two weight classes to challenge the Guadalajara icon who still holds the supremacy in the super middleweight divisions.

But the fight won’t come alone. Netflix and its partners have put together a film-length promotional tour: Riyadh (June 20), the new hub of global boxing; New York (June 22), where the event will coincide with Fanatics Fest; and Las Vegas (June 27), the mecca of boxing. A route designed to warm up the fight and build a cultural moment beyond the 12 rounds.

“I’m super happy to make history again, and this time on a card that will stream on Netflix. On September 13, I’m ready to prove once again that I’m the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world,” said Canelo Álvarez.

Long term strategy

This isn’t a one-off move. In 2024, Netflix got into the big NFL game by streaming Christmas matches, investing more than $150 million to show exclusive games without intermediaries. The formula was so profitable in terms of viewership and advertising that it was extended until 2026. In its debut with the NFL, Netflix achieved audiences of up to 27 million viewers in the United States, including musical segments. Football at Christmas and boxing on Mexican Independence Day: a combo created with surgical precision.

The big night of September 13th will, in a way, be a global experiment. A streaming service is poised to dominate a space historically reserved for pay-per-view.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.