ESPN's 'The Last Dance' Premiere Episodes Score 6.1 Million Viewers

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

ESPN's much anticipated sports documentary series The Last Dance, averaged 6.1 million viewers Sunday across its two episode premiere.

The 10-part documentary, which follows Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls' quest to win a sixth NBA title during the 1990s, drew 6.3 million for its premiere episode and 5.8 million viewers for episode two across ESPN and ESPN2, according to Nielsen. 

The two premiere episodes surpassed the 2012 ESPN documentary film You Don't Know Bo, which drew 3.6 million viewers. 

On ESPN alone, the two hours averaged 5.3 million viewers, with episode 1 delivering 5.7 million viewers and episode 2 delivering 5 million, said Nielsen. 

On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, Last Dance posts from ESPN accounted for a combined 9 million engagements. Two pre-and two post-digital live shows combined for 3.5 million viewers and 2.6 million minutes, according to the network. 

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.