Netflix has made a last-minute decision to postpone the highly anticipated live stream of American free climber Alex Honnold attempting to scale the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper. The delay comes as rainy weather conditions in Taiwan have significantly heightened the already extreme dangers of the climb.
Weather Forces Safety-First Postponement
The streaming giant was set to broadcast Skyscraper Live on Saturday, January 24, with Honnold beginning his ascent of the 1,667-foot tower at 9am local time. However, just thirty minutes before the broadcast was due to commence, Netflix announced the postponement. Persistent drizzle had made the building's surfaces treacherously slippery, adding unacceptable risk to what is inherently a near-death experience performed without safety ropes.
New Broadcast Time and Production Details
The event has now been rescheduled to air a full day later. Netflix confirmed the new timing in an official statement: "Skyscraper Live was originally scheduled to air on January 23. Due to weather conditions, the live event is postponed, and will now stream on Saturday, January 24 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT." For UK viewers, this translates to an early Sunday morning broadcast.
The production will feature a live two-hour stream with a critical ten-second broadcast delay. This standard safety measure is in place to allow producers to cut the feed should any catastrophic incident occur during Honnold's climb.
Honnold's Personal Stakes and Controversy
The 40-year-old climber, famed for his documentary Free Solo, has openly addressed the profound risks involved, particularly concerning his young family. He is a father to two daughters, June, born in 2022, and one-year-old Alice.
"Baby Alice wouldn’t remember. Baby June probably wouldn’t remember. She’ll be 4 in another month," Honnold reflected. "It’d be felt, and obviously it’d be super hard for [wife] Sanni, but they’d be well provided for. I don’t feel like I’d be leaving them in the lurch. They wouldn’t even necessarily be traumatised their whole lives."
Despite Netflix stating the final decision rested with Honnold himself, the spectacle has attracted criticism. Some commentators have labelled the event as voyeuristic and irresponsible, questioning the ethics of broadcasting such a high-risk endeavour for entertainment.
Looking Ahead to the Rescheduled Climb
All eyes are now on the weather forecast for the new date. Organisers and fans alike are hoping for clearer, drier conditions that will provide Honnold with the safest possible environment for his attempt on one of the world's tallest buildings. The postponement underscores the unpredictable and deadly serious nature of extreme free climbing, where even a professional of Honnold's calibre is at the mercy of the elements.
