Netflix’s ‘Skyscraper Live’ Postponed Because of Weather; Alex Honnold’s Climb of the 11th Tallest Building Moved to Saturday
Netflix’s highly anticipated Skyscraper Live event will not take place tonight in Taipei, Taiwan, due to adverse weather conditions.
A spokesperson for the streaming service announced, “Due to weather, we are unable to proceed with today’s SkyscraperLIVE event,” just 30 minutes before the event was scheduled to begin. They added, “It has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 24 at 8 PM ET | 5 PM PT. Safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding.”
Netflix also noted that updated information regarding press opportunities would be communicated later today. Initial reactions on social media were largely positive, with many users expressing support for the decision to prioritize safety.
Fortunately, the forecast for tomorrow, which will be Sunday in Taiwan, looks promising with expectations of “partly sunny and pleasant” conditions.
Watch on Deadline
With a built-in 10-second delay for contingency, Skyscraper Live has been marketed as a grand spectacle, drawing comparisons to Philippe Petit’s iconic 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers, Evel Knievel’s stunts, and Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of El Capitan, as featured in the Oscar-winning documentary from 2018. This ambitious endeavor aligns with Netflix’s strategy of developing big, live, unscripted events.
Despite extensive planning, the event appeared precarious earlier in the week, as indicated by Honnold’s tweet, which captured rainy conditions in Taipei:
Rest day stroll in rain – very scenic views of Taipei though a little bit wet right now. Getting over my jet lag and feeling pretty good. Getting psyched! pic.twitter.com/zHn7LnPKNd
— Alex Honnold (@AlexHonnold) January 21, 2026
In the competitive landscape of streaming, Netflix faces additional pressures as it navigates rivalries, particularly with Paramount, which is launching a highly promoted UFC event. This marks a significant moment following a substantial $7.7 billion acquisition bid by David Ellison to expand his studio’s portfolio. The timing of both events has raised the stakes considerably.
Following the rescheduling, Skyscraper Live will now air nearly simultaneously with UFC’s debut from Las Vegas.
Taipei 101, which held the title of the tallest building in the world from its opening in 2004 until 2009, is currently ranked 11th globally. The 1,667-foot structure has been eclipsed by taller constructions, including Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which stands at 2,722 feet.
One of Netflix’s challenges is ensuring a seamless streaming experience, particularly in light of past technical difficulties that marred other live events. For instance, a high-profile bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul in November 2024 experienced significant streaming issues, which resulted in frustration among viewers. Nonetheless, such spectacle-driven events, whether met with triumph or hiccups, tend to attract large audiences, illustrating that drama continues to captivate viewers on the platform.
