Alex Honnold’s Live Taipei 101 Climb Rescheduled by Netflix

Netflix has officially postponed the live broadcast of its special featuring renowned free-solo climber Alex Honnold. The event was originally scheduled for January 23, 2024, at 8 PM ET, during which Honnold was set to attempt a climb of Taipei 101, the 11th tallest building in the world. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, the climb will now take place on January 24, 2024, at the same time.

The announcement came just half an hour before the planned broadcast, with Netflix stating, “Due to weather, we are unable to proceed with today’s #SkyscraperLIVE event. 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.”

Weather conditions play a crucial role in Honnold’s climb, which poses significant risks as he plans to ascend without any ropes or safety nets. In an interview with Variety prior to the event, producer James Smith discussed the possibility of weather-related delays. With a 30% chance of rain forecasted for the morning, he noted that contingency plans were in place. Smith explained that if conditions worsened, the team could delay the broadcast for up to an hour or even postpone it to the following day.

“Our main contingency planning is we can delay the broadcast by maybe an hour, maybe slightly longer,” he said. “If there’s been a light shower and the building’s drying off, the temperature here is pretty good, there’s often a light breeze, so the building will dry relatively quickly. If it is deemed too wet, if there’s too much moisture on the building, we will probably delay to the next day.”

Netflix’s Vice President of Unscripted Series, Jeff Gaspin, added that the network would remain on-site for several days following the initial postponement, should Honnold be unable to climb on the rescheduled date. He emphasized the limited timeframe available for the climb, noting that the rainy season in Taiwan typically spans from April to September.

The postponement highlights the inherent dangers of Honnold’s endeavor. As fans eagerly await the rescheduled event, the emphasis remains on ensuring Honnold’s safety and comfort before attempting such a monumental climb. With the eyes of millions set on Taipei 101, the anticipation is palpable as viewers prepare for the thrilling broadcast on January 24.