Michael Jordan 'The Last Dance' doc scores big for ESPN
Joint ESPN-Netflix project follows star's run with Chicago Bulls
FOX Business' Susan Li discusses Michael Jordan's NBA career as his ESPN special
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
NBA legend Michael Jordan’s new documentary racked up more than a few points.
“The Last Dance,” a joint project from ESPN and Netflix, based on the former basketball star’s run with the Chicago Bulls, had a strong ratings performance as the last two episodes of the 10-part documentary, strung out over the last five Sunday nights, averaged 5.9 million viewers, Nielsen said. It was simulcast on ESPN and ESPN2.
“We are thrilled with the response from fans throughout the run of the series,” Connor Schell, executive vice president of content at ESPN, said in a statement sent to FOX Business. "The past five Sunday nights have brought fans together providing the type of communal viewing experience traditionally reserved for live sports.”
MICHAEL JORDAN MEMORABILIA MARKET SURGES AFTER 'THE LAST DANCE'
He added the “exceptional content of the series has cut through culturally and sparked conversations far beyond ESPN platforms. We are grateful to Jason and his creative team and all of our production partners on the film and look forward to seeing fans continue to engage with ‘The Last Dance’ in the days and weeks ahead through the ESPN app.”
The documentary’s performance marked the highest-rated documentary project ever for the sports network. It was also a desperately needed bright spot for ESPN, which has been suffering because of the absence of live sporting events during the coronavirus pandemic.
NY, CALIFORNIA SUPPORT POST-CORONAVIRUS COMEBACK FOR PRO SPORTS LEAGUES
Atlanta Hawks Vice President Dominique Wilkins says safety is 'bigger than the game' with regard to the NBA suspending games due to coronavirus.
Live viewership for each episode ranged between 4.9 and 6.3 million people, meaning viewers kept coming back, Nielsen said. The live count will ultimately be a fraction of the series’ impact. Adding delayed viewing through DVRs and reruns, the first episode has already been seen nearly 15 million times, ESPN said.
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
In addition to the Neilsen ratings, “The Last Dance” became a highly talked about topic on social media, landing the top trending topic spot on Twitter for five consecutive Sundays. It was also the No. 1 most social series on a per-episode basis across TV year-to-date, according to the statement. Plus, it landed in the top-10 prime-time programs across TV overall, including sports events, award shows and other series.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.