ESPN's 'The Last Dance' to See Release on Netflix America

After smashing viewer expectations with its premiere episode, ESPN‘s The Last Dance may see a bigger audience yet. Though the landmark Chicago Bulls documentary is already available via international Netflix accounts, it will reportedly arrive stateside several months after completing its run on cable.

According to LightShed Solutions’ Rich Greenfield — a noted media and streaming analyst — The Last Dance will hit Netflix USA in July, two months after its final episode airs on ESPN. The move makes sense: Netflix is co-producing the series and releasing episodes across the globe the day after they debut on TV, one at a time. Netflix has utilized this delayed roll-out strategy for various high-profile series, including Better Call Saul. ESPN and Netflix are currently premiering two episodes each weekend until May 17, when episodes 9 and 10 complete the series.

Big number on @espn — but now imagine how much bigger #LastDance will be on @netflix on July 19th when the whole series goes up bingeable, commercial-free in the US https://t.co/kJDaB7YJZE

— Rich Greenfield, LightShed (@RichLightShed) April 20, 2020

#LastDance #MichaelJordan

On April 19th it begins (on @ESPN)

On July 19th binge it all ad-free on @Netflix forever

(+outside the US it begins on Netflix on April 20th) https://t.co/R0vYOBPUeM

— Rich Greenfield, LightShed (@RichLightShed) April 1, 2020

Greenfield expects the documentary to hit American Netflix accounts on July 19, though that date has not been verified by Netflix and could be subject to change.

Meanwhile, ESPN is focusing on broadcasting alternative sports with many professional events on hold.