ESPN’s Ric Flair ‘30 for 30’ Film Pins Down Nearly 2 Million Viewers

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Wednesday (Nov. 8) night's ESPN 30 for 30 documentary featuring Ric "Nature Boy" Flair drew 1.8 million viewers, the sports service said Thursday (Nov. 9). 

Viewership for the Nature Boy documentary, which profiled the life of the popular pro wrestler, posted a 78% increase from the 1.0 million average for 30 for 30 premieres in 2017, according to ESPN.

Nature Boy also ranks as the most viewed 30 for 30 film since last year’s Catholics vs. Convicts iteration, which drew 2.1 million viewers, network officials said. 

“The response to the film has been overwhelming,” 30 for 30 executive producer John Dahl said in a statement. “The viewership totals just drive home the enormous interest that exists in Ric Flair’s life story, regardless of whether you’re a wrestling fan.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.