We'll never know how the ratings in June would have been, but ESPN is certain to be pleased with their decision to move up the premiere of The Last Dance docu-series to April 19th. According to The Athletic's sports media reporter Richard Deitsch, the first two episodes of the docu-series chronicling Michael Jordan and the final season of the Chicago Bulls dynasty set the viewership record for an ESPN documentary.

“The Last Dance averaged 6.1 million viewers for Episodes 1 and 2 over ESPN and ESPN 2. That's the most-watched doc in ESPN history. Tops “You Dont Know Bo” which drew 3.6 million viewers for its debut,” tweeted Dietsch on Monday afternoon.

Clearly, fans hankering for a televised sports event amid the coronavirus pandemic found a temporary reprieve in the highly-anticipated and much-hyped docu-series, which aired at 9 ET on Sunday night. Initially, the critically-acclaimed series was set to air in June on the off-days in between NBA Finals games.

As CNN's media reporter Frank Pallotta added, the biggest markets for The Last Dance viewers came primarily from—not surprisingly—Chicago and North Carolina.

Article Continues Below
More Chicago Bulls News
Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA FInals
Bulls’ Matas Buzelis reacts to Thunder-Pacers NBA FinalsTomer Azarly ·
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Ranking the top 3 Nikola Vucevic trade destinationsScotty White ·
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan gestures to his team against the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at United Center.
Bulls reject Knicks’ Billy Donovan interview requestRichard Pereira ·
Chicago Bulls forward Lonzo Ball (2) hits a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during overtime at the United Center.
Ranking the top 3 Lonzo Ball trade destinationsScotty White ·
Chicago Bulls forward Lonzo Ball (2) hits a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during overtime at the United Center.
Bulls’ Lonzo Ball grabs attention after ‘Tweaker’ BET Awards performance with LiAngeloGuillermo Guajardo ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) dribbles down the court against Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second quarter at Paycom Center.
NBA rumors: Bulls could’ve gotten more from Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey tradeScotty White ·

https://twitter.com/frankpallotta/status/1252340219858219010

 

According to Decider (via ESPN), “the 6.1 million average was for airings on ESPN and ESPN2 over the hours of 9-11pm ET; with 5.7 million watching Episode 1 on ESPN, 5 million for Episode 2. The West Coast re-airings weren’t too shabby either with an average of 794,000 additional viewers.”

The 10-part series directed by Jason Hehir will air two new episodes on ESPN (uncensored) and ESPN2 each Sunday night at 9 ET through May 17. New episodes also hit Netflix for viewers outside the U.S. the morning after airings.