How to watch 'Skyscraper Live': See Alex Honnold climb one of the world's tallest buildings in real time
Table of Contents
One of the greatest free solo climbers of all time, Alex Honnold, is about to risk everything to scale the Taipei 101 skyscraper — one of the tallest buildings in the world. And you can watch it all happen live on Netflix. Here's everything you need to know to tune in.
What is Skyscraper Live?
Unlike the prerecorded climbing documentary Free Solo, Skyscraper Live will follow Honnold as he scales the Taipei 101 skyscraper in real time. A true high-stakes live broadcast, viewers will experience every moment of Honnold's ascent of the iconic 1,667-foot-tall building live. If you can already feel your palms sweating, you're not alone.
"I’m sure viewers will probably be on edge watching this," Honnold said in a Q&A. "I assume that most people will be sort of uncomfortable watching the whole thing. But I hope that viewers get a little bit of my joy from the experience — that they can appreciate the fun of it and the beauty of it, the scenery, just the whole experience. It’s not just extreme sports — it’s more."
You May Also Like
How to watch Skyscraper Live
The Skyscraper Live two-hour global event will take place on Jan. 23, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) live only on Netflix.
If you don't already subscribe to Netflix, the most affordable way to sign up is to opt for the monthly subscription with ads for $7.99. If you don't want ads, your next-best choice is to sign up for Netflix Standard for $17.99 per month. There's also a third tier dubbed Netflix Premium, which costs $24.99 per month and lets you watch on four household devices at once in 4K Ultra HD + HDR with no ads.
The best Netflix deals
Before you sign up for Netflix, check out the deals below to see if you can get a free or discounted subscription. Be sure to double-check the terms for more details.
Best Netflix deal for T-Mobile customers
T-Mobile customers on most Go5G plans, as well as Experience Beyond and Experience More plans, get Netflix Standard with ads for free (reg. $7.99 per month) as long as their account is in good standing. You need to have two or more lines of any type of Go5G or Magenta plan, or at least one line of Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, Magenta MAX, Experience More, or Experience Beyond, in order to be eligible.
While the Netflix subscription is free for eligible customers, you'll have to manually activate it by logging into My.T-Mobile and selecting Manage add-ons. Once there, add Netflix in the Services section, and you'll be prompted to either create a Netflix account or sign in to an existing one. T-Mobile will take care of your Netflix bill each month. Check out the terms and FAQs on the promo page.
Best Netflix deal for Verizon customers
As of December 2023, Verizon customers with myPlan can add a Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) for just $10 per month ($8.98 per month in savings). That essentially gets you Netflix with ads for free. Eligible Verizon customers include those on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans. After enrolling in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Eligibility details, terms, and FAQs can be found on the Verizon support page.
Best Netflix deal for Xfinity customers
Comcast launched its Xfinity StreamSaver package in 2024, which includes Netflix Standard with ads ($7.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($10.99 per month), and Apple TV+ ($12.99 per month). Essentially, current and new Xfinity Internet or TV customers can add the StreamSaver bundle to their existing services for only $18 per month. Typically $31.97 per month for all three, you'll save about $13.97 monthly.
How to watch Free Solo
Free Solo, the National Geographic Documentary Film following Honnold climbing the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, is a great way to pre-game the Skyscraper Live broadcast. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the 2018 Oscar winner is a captivating and nauseating adventure up a 3,000-foot mountain without the assistance of ropes, harnesses, or other protective gear.
If you want to watch the documentary feature before diving into the livestream, it's currently streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. If you're already signing up for Netflix to watch Skyscraper Live, you can kill two birds with one stone. If you want to see what you're getting yourself into before pulling the trigger, you can watch for free on Hulu with a 30-day trial.
Topics Netflix Streaming How to Watch
Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.
Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.
