LOS ANGELES – The ESPY Awards, highlighted by Caitlyn Jenner’s acceptance of a trophy for bravery, proved a ratings champion.

The telecast, which moved from its traditional ESPN cable home to a bigger stage with broadcast sibling ABC, drew 7.75 million viewers last Wednesday to rank as the most-watched ESPY ceremony ever, more than double the previous high of 3.6 million in 2006. Last year’s ceremony was watched by 2.2 million.

It was the No. 5 program of the week, according to Nielsen company numbers released Tuesday.

Jenner, who as Bruce Jenner was the 1976 Olympic decathlon champion, urged acceptance for transgender people as she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Jenner’s own journey into womanhood will be profiled on the E! reality series “I Am Cait,” debuting Sunday.