Michael Jordan's 'The Last Dance' most-watched ESPN documentary ever

May 19 (UPI) -- Michael Jordan's The Last Dance was the most-viewed documentary series in ESPN history, after it drew an average of 5.6 million viewers for its 10 episodes.

The series -- which chronicled Jordan's final season with the Chicago Bulls -- finished with Episode 9 and Episode 10 on Sunday. The final episodes also averaged 5.9 million and 5.4 million viewers, respectively. Episodes 1 and 2 of the series averaged 6.1 million viewers, a record for the most-viewed original content broadcasts on ESPN since 2004.

More than 6.3 million viewers tuned in for Episode 1 of the Jason Hehir directed production. ESPN planned to air the series in June, but moved it up to April to fill the void left by a lack of live sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are thrilled with the response from fans throughout the run of the series," said Connor Schell, executive vice president of content at ESPN. "The past five Sunday nights have brought fans together providing the type of communal viewing experience traditionally reserved for live sports.

"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."

Chicago was the top metered market for viewership of The Last Dance. Greensboro, N.C., was second for viewership, followed by San Diego, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose and Nashville.

The Last Dance was also the top trend on Twitter for five consecutive Sundays. ESPN plans to televise Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals -- titled Game 6: The Movie -- at 9 p.m. EDT Wednesday. The broadcast will include never-before-seen footage.

Moments from Michael Jordan's career

Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (L) drives past Indiana Pacers' Reggie Miller as he joined the Bulls for a 103-96 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers during his NBA return after trying out a baseball career on March 19, 1995. Photo by Susan Plageman/UPI | License Photo

Eastern All-Star Jordan slam-dunks for 2 of the 20 points to win the All-Star MVP game in San Antonio, Texas on February 11, 1996. Later that year, Jordan re-signed with the Chicago Bulls. Photo by George Wong/UPI | License Photo

Jordan sits on the bench during their 113-104 loss to the Miami Heat in Miami on February 23, 1996. Overall, the Bulls won six consecutive championships from 1990 through 1997. Photo by Jeff Widener/UPI | License Photo

Jordan holds up his MVP trophy after the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz 90-86 to win their fifth NBA Title in Chicago on June 14, 1997. Photo by Ray Foli/UPI | License Photo

Jordan displays the new Air Jordan 13 sneaker, which bears his nickname "Black Cat," at a press conference at NikeTown in New York City on September 9, 1997. A new signature Jordan brand line of basketball clothing products was also unveiled. In 2020, a pair of his game-worn sneakers sold for $560,000. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

Jordan jams for two of his game-high 50 points to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 111-102 in double overtime in Los Angeles on November 21, 1997. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Jordan takes aim scoring two of this 47 points against the Houston Rockets in Chicago on January 18, 1998. The Bulls won 106-100. Photo by Ray Foli/UPI | License Photo

Jordan puts up a shot against the Indiana Pacers in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis on May 29, 1998. The Pacers defeated the Bulls 92-89 to tie the series at 3 game each. Photo by John Harrell/UPI | License Photo

Jordan pumps his fist as he waits for the final second of the clock to run out following the Bulls' 88-83 victory over the Pacers in Chicago on May 31, 1998. The Bulls went on to the NBA finals against the Utah Jazz. Photo by Ray Foli/UPI | License Photo

Retired, Jordan shares a laugh with the members of his foursome on the 10th tee of the Mario Lemieux Celebrity Invitational at The Club at Nevillewood in Pittsburgh on June 10, 1999. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

Jordan takes a stroll down the first fairway after teeing off in the Pro Am Ameritech Senior tournament in Long Grove, Ill., on July 15, 1999. Photo by Ray Foli/UPI | License Photo

Jordan was honored by Sports Illustrated as the Greatest Basketball Player of the 20th Century in New York City on December 3, 1999. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

From left to right, Washington Wizards minority owner Ted Leonsis, Jordan, Wizards majority owner Abe Pollin and Washington Mayor Anthony Williams pose following a press conference in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2000. Jordan was named a minority owner and president of basketball operations for the Wizards. Photo by Joel Rennich/UPI | License Photo

Jordan poses with Rachel Robinson after the ceremony honoring Jordan with the Jackie Robinson Foundation Robie Award on March 13, 2000. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

Jordan poses with his award from the Essence Awards in New York City on April 15, 2000. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

Jordan reacts to the crowd after crushing his drive on the 16th tee at the Mario Lemieux Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament in Pittsburgh on June 8, 2001. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

Jordan prepares to make a free throw in preseason game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto on October 25, 2001. The Wizards lost 96-113 to the Raptors. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo

Jordan catches his breath between plays against the New York Knicks in Washington, D.C., on December 14, 2001. Jordan played 34 minutes and scored 19 points in the 96-80 Wizards win over the Knicks. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo

Jordan (L) takes the ball to the hoop against Phoenix Suns Rodney Rogers in Washington, D.C., on January 26, 2002. The Wizards went on to defeat the Phoenix Suns 112 to 102. Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI | License Photo

Jordan (R) has a laugh with Rev. Jesse Jackson prior to the game in Washington, D.C., on January 26, 2002. Jordan was elected as an All-Star starter in a fan ballot released earlier in the day. Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI | License Photo

Jordan drives to the net against the New Jersey Nets in Washington D.C., on February 21, 2003. Jordan scored 43 points in the Wizards 89-86 win. Photo by John Gillis/UPI | License Photo

Jordan acknowledges the crowd's standing ovation after his final home game in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 2003. The Wizards lost the game to the New York Knicks 93-79. Photo by John Gillis/UPI | License Photo

Jordan waves farewell as he takes the bench after his final moments of play as the Philadelphia 76ers host the Washington Wizards in Philadelphia, on April 16, 2003. The 76ers won 107-87. Photo by Jon Adams/UPI | License Photo

Jordan appears at his exclusive celebrity kickoff of the new Air Jordan XX2 in Las Vegas on February 16, 2007. Jordan would celebrate his 44th birthday the next day. Photo by Roger Williams/UPI | License Photo

Fans reach for Jordan after he was introduced as the Grand Marshall of the NASCAR All-Star Challenge race at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., on May 19, 2007. Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo

Jordan (L) and Spike Lee exchange words before the New York Knicks play the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 5, 2008. Jordan and Lee had previously worked together on a series of Nike television commercials. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Jordan (L) stands next to Tiger Woods as Jordan waits to hit off of the 15th tee during a practice round prior to the start of The Presidents Cup at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco on October 7, 2009. The month before, Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Oprah Winfrey (L) talks with Jordan during the taping of “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” in Chicago on May 17, 2011. The previous year, Jordan bought a majority share in the Charlotte Bobcats. Photo by David Banks/UPI | License Photo

Jordan (C) greets New York Yankees Derek Jeter at the Derek Jeter Day ceremony celebrating his legacy when the New York Yankees play the Kansas City Royals in New York City on September 7, 2014. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Fans hold up photos of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (L) and Jordan during the first quarter of the Chicago Bulls game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Chicago on October 31, 2014. James approached the double-digit scoring game ties with Karl Malone at 575, Jordan holding the record at 866 games. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Jordan during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 22, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Jordan attends the final day of competition at the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Guyancourt in Paris on September 30, 2018. A couple weeks before, Jordan donated $2 million to Hurricane Florence victims. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

Jordan brought a moment of levity to the somber memorial for Kobe Bryant on when he joked about the "Crying Jordan" meme to family, friends and fans attending the Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant, who were killed in a plane crash, in Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo