Comic will make history on the streaming channel

Chris Rock is to become the first person to perform live on Netflix.

The comic’s next stand-up special will go out as it happens on the streaming platform early next year, although full details have yet to be announced.

Robbie Praw, the Netflix executive responsible for stand-up on the service, said: ‘Chris Rock is one of the most iconic and important comedic voices of our generation. We’re thrilled the entire world will be able to experience a live Chris Rock comedy event and be a part of Netflix history.

‘This will be an unforgettable moment and we're so honoured that Chris is carrying this torch.’

This is Rock’s second Netflix stand-up special after Tamborine, which debuted in February 2018. 

Rock is currently on tour with his Ego Death show, as well as appearing in a  double-headliner arena tour with Dave Chappelle (review).

In spring this year, Netflix hosted its biggest live, in-person even, the Netflix Is A Joke festival in Los Angeles. The event sold more than 260,000 tickets, and featured more than 330 comedians performing 295 shows across more than 35 venues.

The company has been working to reverse a decline in subscriber numbers, with tactics such as a new, cheaper ad-supported subscription tier, and last month revealed it had added 2.4 million customers, after two consecutive quarters of losses.

Published: 11 Nov 2022