Netflix's highly anticipated live event, "Skyscraper Live," featuring renowned free solo climber Alex Honnold attempting to scale the Taipei 101 tower without ropes, has been postponed due to unexpected rain. Originally scheduled for Friday, the climb has been rescheduled for Saturday night U.S. time (Sunday morning Taiwan time) to ensure optimal and safe conditions for Honnold.

Honnold himself confirmed the postponement from a "very rainy Taipei," acknowledging that climbing is often at the mercy of nature. Netflix echoed this sentiment, stating, "Safety remains our top priority." This delay comes despite the January date being chosen specifically for Taiwan's dry season, with forecasts initially calling for only a chance of moisture. Accuweather now predicts "sunny and pleasant" conditions for the rescheduled attempt.

The planning for "Skyscraper Live" has been meticulous, with a strong emphasis on safety. Producers, including Plimsoll Prods. Ltd. CEO Grant Mansfield and head of adventure James Smith, along with Netflix unscripted VP Jeff Gaspin, had already discussed contingency plans for weather. Smith noted that delays could extend to another day if necessary, emphasizing that Honnold must be "100% comfortable and happy in himself and in the conditions." Gaspin likened the live telecast window to "launching a space shuttle," highlighting the complexities and the option for a larger reschedule if extended delays are needed, given that Taipei has a rainy season between April and September.

Alex Honnold is celebrated for his daring free solo feats, famously chronicled in the Oscar-winning documentary "Free Solo," which documented his ascent of El Capitan’s 3,000-foot "Freerider" route. For "Skyscraper Live," he aims to conquer the Taipei 101, an architectural marvel standing at 1,667 feet and recognized as the 11th tallest building globally and the tallest in Taiwan. Honnold has been training rigorously, with Mansfield stating he is "the fittest he’s ever been."

The climb itself presents numerous challenges across the Taipei 101's unique architecture. Honnold will start with the tower's slab base, considered the "easy part." From there, he must navigate the building's middle section, designed as eight-story "bamboo boxes" that demand steep climbing over overhanging sections. Dragon figures at the corners of these boxes will serve as mounting points to reach the next level, offering visually dramatic but highly exposed sections. The top part includes more overhanging sections where Honnold's legs will dangle, requiring immense upper body strength. The "crown" of Taipei 101, a massive steel ring, might even see Honnold perform a "bat hang"—resting by putting a knee into a hole and leaning backward. The ultimate goal is to reach a small, four-foot platform at the very summit, as Smith noted, "For a climber, you want to summit properly."

The production, handled by Plimsoll Prods. Limited (part of ITV Studios), features a formidable team including showrunner and executive producer Al Berman, director Joe DeMaio, and executive producers Honnold, Mansfield, Smith, Alan Eyres, and Jonathan Retseck. Risk management firm Secret Compass has also been instrumental in planning. Extensive safety protocols are in place, including a "two-tick system": Honnold must feel confident, and the safety team must approve. If the unthinkable were to happen, Netflix has a 10-second broadcast delay to cut away, ensuring no traumatic visuals are aired.

Netflix's commitment to live programming is evident, as they sought a compelling live stunt event akin to historic TV moments. Gaspin highlighted that going live adds a crucial element of danger and a "more compelling viewing experience." The streamer has even hired ESPN's Elle Duncan as its first sports anchor, who will host "Skyscraper Live." Logistically, the production will use a combination of camera operators leapfrogging Honnold as he ascends, remote cameras, drones, and a helicopter for higher sections. Despite the logistical and physical challenges, there is strong confidence in Honnold's expertise. Mansfield emphasized, "He is an incredibly talented climber and an elite sports person. It would be an insult to say he takes mad risks."

This event culminates a long-held dream for Honnold, who had previously announced a similar Taipei 101 climb in 2013, only for Nat Geo to withdraw due to safety concerns. However, Plimsoll's established relationship with Honnold through projects like "The Devil’s Climb" and "Arctic Ascent," combined with their experience in live events such as "Earth Live" and "Yellowstone Live," made this the "right idea at the right time." Smith specifically noted that Taipei 101 itself is "almost like it was built to be free solo climbed," praising its intricate architecture as a "world class climbing objective."