• Key takeaways:
  • Alex Honnold will attempt a solo climb of Taipei 101 live on Netflix.
  • He says there will be no parachute, safety nets or ropes — it will be just him.
  • Honnold describes the risk as manageable and compares it to watching live sports.
  • CNN previewed the event with a video interview where Honnold explains his approach.

What’s happening

Alex Honnold, the acclaimed free-solo climber, is preparing to climb Taipei 101 — a 101-story skyscraper — in a live Netflix broadcast. In a CNN interview, Honnold confirmed the ascent will be unassisted: no ropes, no parachute and no safety nets.

Honnold on risk and safety

“I feel like it’s going to be fine,” Honnold said in the CNN preview. He added bluntly, “You can’t make it safe in the way that a network executive wants you to.” He also told CNN that watching the live climb “is not that different from watching live football,” framing the risk in terms familiar to mainstream audiences.

Honnold’s comments underline that this will be a pure free-solo effort — the kind of climb he is known for. The climber’s matter-of-fact tone and experience in previous high-profile free-solo climbs are central to how he frames the challenge.

What to expect during the Netflix broadcast

Expect real-time coverage focused on Honnold’s ascent up Taipei 101. Because the climb is unroped, producers and safety planners cannot eliminate the inherent danger without changing the nature of the stunt. CNN’s preview video captures Honnold discussing those constraints and his mindset ahead of the event.

Embedded video: Alex Honnold talks 101-story Taipei skyscraper climb — Watch on CNN
Link: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/entertainment/video/alex-honnold-taipei-101-free-solo-digvid

Follow CNN Entertainment for updates: https://facebook.com/CNNent | https://twitter.com/CNNent | https://instagram.com/cnnentertainment

Why this matters

Free-solo climbing is inherently high-risk, and broadcasting such an attempt live raises questions about audience appetite, ethical considerations for live programming, and how broadcasters balance spectacle with safety. Honnold’s reputation from previous free-solo climbs makes him a figure many will watch closely.

Bottom line

Alex Honnold plans a live, unassisted ascent of Taipei 101 on Netflix. He insists the climb will be done his way — without added safety measures that would change the climb’s nature — and asks viewers to judge the risk for themselves.

Source: CNN video interview with Alex Honnold (link above).

Image Referance: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/16/entertainment/video/alex-honnold-taipei-101-free-solo-digvid