In a surprising turn of events, Netflix has decided to delay the eagerly anticipated live event titled "Skyscraper Live," which was set to showcase renowned free solo climber Alex Honnold scaling the iconic Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan. The postponement comes due to unfavorable weather conditions, specifically rain, and the event has been rescheduled for Saturday evening in the United States, which will be Sunday morning in Taiwan.
The streaming giant issued a statement explaining, "Due to weather, we are unable to proceed with today’s SkyscraperLIVE event. It has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 24 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding."
Earlier today, Variety reported insights from key figures at Plimsoll Productions, including CEO Grant Mansfield, head of adventure James Smith, and Netflix's unscripted VP Jeff Gaspin, who had previously talked about the potential for a delay caused by the weather.
The January timing for the climb was strategically chosen as it coincides with Taiwan's dry season. However, there were still concerns about possible rain, especially since forecasts indicated a chance of precipitation right when Honnold was scheduled to begin his ascent at 9 a.m. local time. Fortunately, the weather forecast for the next day looks promising, predicting clear and pleasant conditions in Taipei, according to Accuweather.
James Smith noted, "If it is deemed too wet, if there’s too much moisture on the building, we will probably delay to the next day, which would be a Saturday night transmission in the U.S. We could even delay another day if we needed to. Obviously, Alex has to be 100% comfortable and happy with the conditions, and our safety team must also feel secure."
Gaspin likened the preparation for the live broadcast to the meticulous planning involved in launching a space shuttle, stating, "We’ll be on site for a few days after if, for some reason, he doesn’t go on that day. But after that, it’s probably a bigger reschedule. There are only certain times of year when you can actually climb the tower because it’s rainy season between April and September."
Mansfield emphasized the thorough planning involved, saying, "He won’t be on that building unless we’re all comfortable. There’s been a huge amount of planning for this. He said he’s the fittest he’s ever been, and he’s really been training for this. We’ve gone to Taipei in the dry season, but there’s always a risk of a bit of rain. It’s a live event, and anything can happen; we can’t control the weather."
Alex Honnold has gained fame as a rock climber known for his audacious feats of free soloing—ascending cliffs without safety ropes or equipment. He rose to international prominence through the Oscar-winning documentary "Free Solo," which documented his historic climb of El Capitan’s challenging 3,000-foot ‘Freerider’ route in Yosemite National Park.
The upcoming two-hour special, "Skyscraper Live," will capture Honnold as he attempts to free solo the Taipei 101, a remarkable 101-story skyscraper recognized as the 11th tallest in the world and the tallest in Taiwan, reaching an impressive height of 1,667 feet. This event is being produced by Plimsoll Productions Limited, part of ITV Studios, with Al Berman serving as the showrunner and executive producer. Honnold, along with Mansfield, Smith, Alan Eyres, and Jonathan Retseck, will also take on executive producer roles, while Joe DeMaio will direct the live special.
