Bruce Jenner interview sees a staggering 16.9MILLION viewers tune in as Olympian reveals he identifies as a woman

Published: 11:46 EST, 25 April 2015 | Updated: 14:07 EST, 26 April 2015

View
comments

Diane Sawyer's tell-all interview with Bruce Jenner saw ratings skyrocket for ABC.

The explosive show, in which the Olympian revealed that he identifies as a woman, was watched by a whopping 16.9million viewers, according to figures from Nielsen.

Among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, the interview scored a very impressive 5.2 rating.

Scroll down for video

A ratings smash: 16.9million people tuned into watch Bruce Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer on Friday

In general, broadcast network TV ratings tend to be low on a Friday night, and the 20/20 special raked in approximately four times its usual amount of viewers.

Variety reports that 20/20 also achieved its highest ratings in the 18-49 demographic in 15 years.

Nielsen Social reveals that Bruce's interview was - excluding sports - the most social television airing ever.

Emotional: Viewers saw the Olympic gold medallist reveal that he identifies as female and plans to completely transform into a woman

Impressive: Among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, the interview scored a 5.2 rating - the highest for the show in 15 years

Bruce Jenner was trending on Twitter with 97,000 tweets about the 65-year-old's revelation, from 403,000 unique users.

The emotional interview saw a tearful Bruce reveal: 'For all intents and purposes, I am a woman.

'My brain is much more female than it is male. That's what my soul is. Bruce lives a lie. She is not a lie.' He added: 'I can't do it anymore.'

Among the 16.9million people watching was Bruce himself and his immediate family. According to TMZ, his kids believe he won over the hearts and minds of the nation, including some people who initially had negative feelings about the transition.

The site claimed Kim especially was 'very emotional' while watching it, and kept stating how proud she was of her stepdad and how positive the interview came across.

Bruce, who has been in the spotlight in recent years starring on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, said that he plans to completely transform into a woman and has been taking female hormones regularly.

Bruce Jenner reveals he 'is a woman' in emotional interview

Supportive family: Bruce is pictured with daughters Kendall and Kylie (on either side) and stepdaughters Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian

The Olympic gold medallist, who admitted he contemplated suicide while struggling to deal with the pain of keeping his secret, told Diane that he is still attracted to women and has always enjoyed a good sex life.

'I was never attracted to the guys. I am not gay.I am, as far as I know, heterosexual. As far as I know, I've never been with a guy. I've always been married, raising kids.'

Bruce's family, and countless stars, voiced their support for the former athlete on Twitter during and after the show.

'I hope I'll be OK': Bruce Jenner looks ahead in Sawyer interview