WHY JAKE PAUL VS. MIKE TYSON VIEWERS WITH NETFLIX SUBSCRIPTIONS COULD STILL BE FINED £1,000

Jake Paul faces Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated showdown on Friday, but Netflix customers in the UK have been warned they could still face a huge fine for tuning into the fight

Adam Davis

Viewers planning to watch Jake Paul face Mike Tyson have been warned they may face a substantial fine, even if they have a Netflix subscription.

Tyson's first professional boxing bout since 2005 is set to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in front of a capacity crowd of 80,000. In a unique situation for UK fans, the fight will not be available on pay-per-view through Sky Sports or TNT.

Instead, it will be accessible to all new and existing Netflix subscribers, allowing them to watch on various devices, including iPads, mobile phones, and televisions. However, the Daily Express reported those planning to tune in will still need to exercise caution after the BBC warned fans will still require a valid TV licence.

In a statement released earlier this year, the network reiterated its rules regarding streaming services, specifically mentioning UK residents using Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube to watch live programme coverage. And it's enough to put potential spectators on alert.

"A TV licence is needed to watch live content on streaming services, watch or record a TV programme on any channel and when using BBC iPlayer," read the statement. "Further information is available on the TV Licensing website or via the customer services team, who can help with any queries."

Those who risk watching the fight live without a TV licence could face a fine of up to £1,000. This comes despite the Government's promise in October to review the enforcement of licence-related penalties.

It remains uncertain how many viewers will subscribe to watch the bout, especially as organisers have reduced ticket prices in an attempt to fill the arena. According to Gametime, the lowest ticket price is now approximately £55, a decrease from £72 last week.

The cheapest seat was reportedly valued at around £103 in October. When the contest was initially planned for July, the best available price was more than £329.

That first date was postponed after Tyson, 58, experienced an ulcer flare-up on a plane. This sparked concerns about whether 'Iron Mike', who is 31 years older than his YouTuber opponent, was fit enough to return to the ring.

The fight is set for eight two-minute rounds, and knockouts are allowed. The pair participated in an open workout with fans on Tuesday, where the former undisputed heavyweight champion seemingly surprised spectators with his intense approach to the bags.

- Rosina Butcher