“The Last Dance” maintains strong TV ratings for second successive week

ESPN’s highly-acclaimed Michael Jordan-themed documentary series The Last Dance maintained its impressive US television ratings for a second successive week, with Episodes 3 and 4 averaging 5.9 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2.

According to ESPN figures, Episode 3 (9-10pm ET) averaged 6.1 million viewers, while Episode 4 (10-11pm) garnered 5.7 million viewers.

Viewership in the United States slipped just three per cent from the inaugural average ratings of 6.1 million on April 19, which smashed the record for the largest audience for a premiere in the “30 for 30” series.

It means the 10-part series – which is centered on the final season of the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in 1997-98 – has averaged 6.0 million viewers across its first four episodes. The Last Dance also accounts for four of the six most-viewed telecasts among US adults aged 18-34 since the sports shutdown in mid-March.

Chicago remained the top rated local market, averaging a 12.6 rating, up three per cent from Week 1. Three markets in North Carolina, where Jordan played college basketball and now owns the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, were also in the top five along with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Once again, The Last Dance gained huge a social-media presence, with four million interactions across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook on April 26.

Notably, the first two episodes have gained a total average audience of 9.23 million viewers as of April 27, a 52 per cent climb, thanks to delayed viewing.

The Last Dance is also being broadcast globally on Netflix.