Netflix’s growing live TV ambitions now have a host

Netflix is bringing ESPN host Elle Duncan onboard to become the voice of its growing roster of live events. Duncan, who has appeared on SportsCenter, College GameDay, and WNBA Countdown, will make her debut on Netflix with next year’s Skyscraper Live broadcast. During the livestream, free solo climber Alex Honnold will attempt to ascend the 11th-tallest building in the world, Taiwan’s Taipei 101. Netflix doesn’t mention any other live events that Duncan might host as part of its “multiyear” deal with the anchor, but by hiring Duncan, Netflix makes it clear that the company has big plans for the future of live sports and other events. In addition to building out a library of video podcasts through deals with Spotify, iHeartMedia, and Barstool Sports, Netflix has plenty of live events in store. It signed a three-year deal to stream live MLB games and events for the next three seasons and also plans on bringing back Star Search next year as a live show hosted by Anthony Anderson.