Alex Honnold, the legendary free solo climber famed for his audacious climbs without safety gear, is gearing up for an exhilarating new mission: scaling Taiwan’s iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper. This remarkable event will be broadcast live on Netflix.
Titled “Skyscraper Live,” this two-hour special is set to debut in early 2026 and will capture Honnold’s attempt to free solo the Taipei 101, which stands 1,667 feet tall, making it the tallest building in Taiwan and the 11th tallest in the world.
Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s VP of nonfiction series and sports, described the event as “the latest global must-watch live event.” He believes that witnessing Honnold’s ascent of Taipei 101 will create an exhilarating spectacle that audiences won’t want to miss. “Everyone will be talking about it as it happens,” he stated.
The special is being produced by Plimsoll Prods. Limited, part of ITV Studios, known for their previous collaborations with Honnold on projects like “The Devil’s Climb” and “Arctic Ascent With Alex Honnold,” which aired on Disney+ and National Geographic. Plimsoll has a rich history of live specials, such as “Earth Live” and “Yellowstone Live,” for Nat Geo.
Recently, Honnold was seen in Taipei, engaging in a preparatory ascent of Taipei 101. According to a report from TVBS News, Honnold utilized specialized climbing gear during this practice climb, demonstrating his unique skills and fearless attitude. The climb drew crowds, transforming the area into an unexpected amphitheater for onlookers.
“Taipei 101 management enforced stringent safety measures for the climb,” the report noted, “with all protocols meticulously established by seasoned professionals and communicated to relevant authorities.” Honnold’s charismatic interactions with office workers through their windows added a delightful touch to the day’s events.
This practice climb provided an exciting preview of the Netflix special, although details surrounding the production were not initially disclosed. Al Berman is set to serve as the showrunner and executive producer for “Skyscraper Live,” alongside Honnold, Grant Mansfield, James Smith, Alan Eyres, and Jonathan Retseck as executive producers. Joe DeMaio will direct the special.
Honnold’s extraordinary reputation stems not only from his daring climbs but also from the impactful documentary “Free Solo,” which documented his historic ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Directed by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, along with accolades including a BAFTA and several Emmys.
Beyond El Capitan, Honnold has undertaken other significant free solo climbs, such as Zion’s Moonlight Buttress and Yosemite’s Half Dome, including the challenging “Triple Crown” completed in under 24 hours. He’s an author, hosts the podcasts “Climbing Gold” and “Planet Visionaries,” and founded the nonprofit Honnold Foundation.
On Netflix, the upcoming live special joins a lineup that includes a diverse array of other events, such as live broadcasts of “WWE Raw,” “Dinner Time Live With David Chang,” and significant sporting matches like Paul vs. Tyson and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Plimsoll Prods. has collaborated with several prominent figures, including David Attenborough and Morgan Freeman, and has produced notable series like the Disney+ offering “A Real Bug’s Life.” Anticipated upcoming projects include Netflix’s “Nightmares of Nature” in conjunction with Blumhouse Television, further showcasing the company’s commitment to high-caliber programming.
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