ESPN’s ESPYS Hit Audience High

NEW YORK, July 19: ESPN’s Sunday-night telecast of The
2006 ESPYS, hosted by Lance Armstrong, was
seen by the biggest audience in the show’s 14-year history, averaging more than
2.5 million households and delivering about 3.6 million viewers.

“We are ecstatic with both the result and Lance’s
performance,” said Ron Semiao, the senior VP of ESPN Original Entertainment.
“He resonated with our viewers in a way few can. His athletic achievements
coupled with his passion for helping cancer survivors were perfectly matched to
The ESPYS’ goals of celebrating the best in sports and raising awareness of
cancer through its support of The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Plus, it
doesn’t hurt that he’s got a great sense of humor and is willing to laugh at
himself.”

Viewers determined the winners in all
categories—except the Arthur Ashe Courage Award—with more than 12.1
million votes cast, the most ever.