Rant on Sports Media: Netflix apologizes for tech issues on Tyson vs Paul fight. TNT and ESPN make a deal for Big 12 games

Production-wise, the Netflix fight night featuring Jake Paul, a YouTube star, and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was a hit, drawing over 60 million homes worldwide. However, the event was marred by technical issues, which Netflix’s Chief Technology Officer, Elizabeth Stone, addressed in a memo to employees.

She acknowledged the conversations in the press and on social media about the streaming quality of the Tyson-Paul fight. Despite these issues, she considered the event a major success, emphasizing that the launch team prioritized stability for most viewers. According to Down Detector, an online platform that offers real-time data on website and service connectivity, approximately 85,000 viewers encountered disruptions or streaming issues before the fight.

“I’m sure many of you have seen the chatter in the press and on social media about the quality issues,” Stone continued, adding: “We don’t want to dismiss the poor experience of some members, and know we have room for improvement, but still consider this event a huge success.”

The NFL is not concerned about the Netflix Christmas Day doubleheader.

The streaming behemoth is broadcasting Chiefs-Steelers and Ravens-Texans during the holiday, marking the start of a three-year agreement that underscores Netflix’s escalating interest in live events. However, extensive buffering and outage problems during the boxing match have led the league to question the company’s technical infrastructure, as reported by several Front Office Sports insiders.

Nevertheless, the NFL is optimistic that the technical issues Netflix experienced during the Tyson vs. Paul event will be resolved. Earlier this year, it was revealed that CBS Sports Productions would take on the broadcasting responsibilities for the Christmas Day games on Netflix.

Netflix changed the subject to Queen B providing Christmas Cheer

The streaming service has shifted focus from its recent traffic and buffering problems by announcing that pop icon Beyoncé will perform at the halftime of the Christmas Ravens-Texans game. This event, taking place in her native Houston, marks the debut live performance of her “Cowboy Carter” album tracks, adding to her history of Super Bowl halftime appearances.

ESPN and TNT do a deal for Big 12 football and basketball

Earlier this week, it was reported that the NBA and its broadcast partners finalized a deal with Warner Brothers Discovery Sports to license the popular NBA studio show ‘Inside the NBA’ to ESPN. TNT will continue to produce the show from Atlanta, with Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley confirmed to stay on. However, as also reported, Shaquille O’Neal has not yet signed a contract with TNT.

Amidst the transition of ‘Inside the NBA’, a notable aspect of the settlement not involving the NBA itself is ESPN’s deal with TNT to broadcast 13 Big 12 football games and 15 men’s basketball games each season, commencing in 2025. This arrangement provides the Big 12 with increased linear television exposure via TNT, as the majority of these games would have been exclusively streamed on ESPN+, as per my sources.

ESPN struck a similar sub-licensing deal with Warner Bros. Discovery for first round and quarterfinal College Football Playoff games earlier in 2025.

TNT is now a player now in college sports

Besides the deal with ESPN for Big 12 games as well a College Football Playoff Championship Game WBD (TNT Sports) are active in conference bidding. This season they signed a multiyear deal with the Mountain West college football games on truTV and Max.

Interest is being examined by WBD Sports in the new Pac-12, along with the current rights holder The CW, which has a deal this year with the remaining members Washington State and Oregon State. The extent of their interest is uncertain. Meanwhile, WBD has secured rights to the French Open and Big East basketball following the expiration of its exclusive negotiating window with the NBA.