Introduction
The Last Dance is a 10-part documentary series that tells the story of Michael Jordan’s 1997-1998 season with the Chicago Bulls. The series was released in April 2020 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences around the world. But how many people actually watched the Last Dance? This article examines the viewership of the Last Dance and analyzes its impact compared to other documentaries.
Analyzing the Impact of the Last Dance on Viewership
The Last Dance has been credited with bringing back the “golden age” of sports documentary filmmaking. Its success can be attributed to several factors, including its use of archival footage, its focus on an iconic figure in sports history, and its wide appeal to both casual and hardcore sports fans.
Despite the fact that the documentary was released during a global pandemic, the Last Dance managed to draw in impressive viewership numbers. According to ESPN, the series averaged 5.6 million viewers per episode across all platforms. The finale of the series drew in 6.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched documentary ever on cable television.
The audience reaction to the series was overwhelmingly positive. Fans praised the way the series was able to capture the drama and excitement of Jordan’s final season with the Bulls. Critics lauded the series for its attention to detail and its ability to tell a compelling story.
The record-breaking ratings of the Last Dance were even more impressive considering the unprecedented circumstances under which it was released. The series was released amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were stuck at home with limited entertainment options. This likely contributed to the series’ success as viewers sought out new content to watch while in quarantine.
Comparing the Last Dance to Other Documentaries
The Last Dance was not only successful in terms of total viewership, but also in terms of engagement. The series had an average of 8.3 million viewers who watched at least one minute of the series, and 4.9 million viewers who watched the entire series. These numbers are higher than those of other recent sports documentaries, such as Kobe Bryant’s Muse (3.7 million viewers) and Iverson (2.8 million viewers).
The Last Dance also had a strong impact on sports fans. According to a survey by Nielsen Sports, 78% of viewers said the series made them more interested in the NBA. Additionally, 81% of viewers said the series made them more likely to watch future sports documentaries. This suggests that the series had a lasting impact on the way viewers engage with sports content.
While the Last Dance was undoubtedly a success, it is important to note that it was not an outlier in terms of documentary viewership. In fact, there have been several other documentaries that have achieved similar levels of success. For example, Netflix’s Making a Murderer attracted 19.3 million viewers in its first 35 days of release, and HBO’s Leaving Neverland was viewed by 11.7 million people in its first 10 days.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Last Dance was a major success in terms of viewership. It drew in impressively high ratings and had a lasting impact on viewers, especially sports fans. While the series was undoubtedly a success, it is important to note that it was not an outlier in terms of documentary viewership. There have been several other documentaries that have achieved similar levels of success.
The success of the Last Dance can be attributed to its use of archival footage, its focus on an iconic figure in sports history, and its wide appeal to both casual and hardcore sports fans. Going forward, other documentary filmmakers should take note of the success of the Last Dance and strive to create content that resonates with viewers in the same way.
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