'Skyscraper Live' on Netflix: Cast, Release Date, Trailer, and Everything to Know About the Live Event

Published 01/16/2026, 4:44 PM CST

The pinnacle of human endurance meets a sheer wall of glass in a broadcast that leaves no room for error. Netflix’s upcoming unprecedented live event, Skyscraper Live, challenges the very definition of safety as one man attempts to conquer a giant with only his bare hands. This mission will be broadcast in real time, capturing every heart-pounding movement for a global audience.

The production team has assembled a diverse group of experts to guide viewers through this vertical odyssey.

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Legendary climber Alex Honnold, known for his breathtaking feats in the documentary Free Solo, is set to attempt his most daring urban challenge yet. He will scale Taipei 101, a massive skyscraper in Taiwan, without any ropes or safety nets to assist his ascent. This high-stakes mission will be broadcast in real time, capturing every heart-pounding movement for a global audience, as mentioned in Tudum.

The broadcast will be anchored by lead host Elle Duncan, a prominent sports personality making her debut on the streaming platform. She is joined by an eclectic team of commentators, including professional climber Emily Harrington and renowned engineer Mark Rober, who will provide technical insights. 

The lineup also features WWE superstar Seth Rollins and veteran climbing analyst Pete Woods to add energy and colour to the event. Apart from this, Alex Honnold emphasizes that while the spectacle is intense, the underlying goal is to showcase the artistry found in extreme sports.

“I hope that viewers get a little bit of my joy from the experience, Honnold shared his perspective on the upcoming feat during a recent interview with Tudum to discuss his mindset for the climb.  

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Preparation is nearly complete for the moment the world stops to watch this historic ascent unfold live.

Marking the calendar for a global broadcast of Skyscraper Live

The official trailer for Skyscraper Live was released three days ago and the live event is set for Friday, January 23, 2026, streaming exclusively to a worldwide audience. To ensure nobody misses a second of the action, the event will begin promptly at 8 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. PT. This January launch sets a high bar for live entertainment as the first major must-watch of the year.

Since the program is a real-time broadcast, there will be no second takes or delays once Honnold begins his climb. The event is produced by Plimsoll Productions and directed by Joe DeMaio. Al Berman serves as the showrunner, coordinating the massive technical undertaking required to film on the exterior of one of the world's tallest structures.

The atmosphere surrounding the skyscraper will be electric as the start time approaches for this rope less journey.

Skyscraper Live- Experiencing the high-stakes live environment

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Unlike traditional documentaries that are edited for time, this live event will show every grueling minute of the ascent. The real-time format means that environmental factors like wind and humidity in Taipei will play a direct role in the difficulty of the task.

Taipei 101 stands at a staggering height of over 1,600 feet, offering a repetitive but exhausting physical challenge for any athlete. The structure’s design includes specific overhangs and sections that will test Alex Honnold's grip strength and endurance over the two-hour window.  The event aims to bridge the gap between extreme sports and mainstream entertainment through its interactive live nature.

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Are you ready to witness an unusual broadcast by Netflix, are you ready to see Alex Honnold climb Taipei 101? Let us know in the comments below.

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Soma Mitra

809 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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