RTÉ Television scored a perfect 10 with sports fans in 2011, with huge numbers of viewers tuning in to the biggest sporting events throughout the year on RTÉ.
Figures released today show that the Top 10 most-watched sports programmes – across all channels – were RTÉ Sport programmes.
The most-watched sports programme of the year on any TV channel was RTÉ Two’s coverage of the All-Ireland Football Final (18th Sept, Kerry v Dublin) with 1,085,000 viewers (69% share) tuning into The Sunday Game Live as Dublin staged a late comeback to claim their first title in 16 years.
Claiming second place was RTÉ Two’s coverage of the All-Ireland Hurling Final (4th Sept, Kilkenny v Tipperary) with 847,000 viewers (63% share) watching The Sunday Game Live as the Cats battled to secure their 5th title in six years.
RTE Two’s The Sunday Game Live coverage of All Ireland Senior Football Semi-Final (28th Aug, Dublin v Donegal) claimed third place with 700,000 viewers (60% share).
Joining them in the Top 10 are RTE Two’s coverage of the RBS 6 Nations matches England v Ireland and France v Ireland, the Republic of Ireland’s crucial home and away Euro 2012 Play-Offs against Estonia, the All-Ireland Football Championship Semi-Final (Kerry v Mayo), and Ireland’s historic Rugby World Cup pool stage wins against Italy and Australia in New Zealand.
Full details of the Top 10 for the year are listed below.
Ryle Nugent, Group Head of Sport, RTÉ said, “This year’s Top 10 list demonstrates yet again the quality of RTÉ Sports coverage and the importance of RTÉ’s free-to-air sport coverage as the national public service broadcaster. No other organisation delivers so much sport to so many Irish viewers and it is a reflection of the calibre of our staff both on screen and behind the scenes that Irish sports fans continue to choose to watch RTÉ in such large numbers. With the RBS 6 Nations kicking off in the coming weeks followed by the GAA Championships, Euro 2012 Championship, the Olympics and European Athletics Championships in addition to our extensive soccer and racing coverage, 2012 is set to be another huge year across all our platforms for sports fans watching RTÉ Television.”
Rank – Description – Channel – Date – TVR – 000s – Share
1. The Sunday Game Live (Senior Football Final, Kerry vs. Dublin) RTÉ Two 18-09-2011 TVR: 26.50 Average in 000s: 1,085,200 Share: 68.84%
2. The Sunday Game Live (Senior Hurling Final, Kilkenny vs. Tipperary) RTÉ Two 04-09-2011 TVR:20.68 Average in 000s: 847,000 Share: 63.19%
3. The Sunday Game Live (Senior Football Semi-Final, Dublin vs. Donegal) RTÉ Two 28-08-2011 TVR: 17.18 Average of 000s: 700,500 Share: 60.33%
4. Six Nations Rugby (Ireland vs. England) RTÉ Two 19-03-2011 TVR: 16.89 Average in 000’s: 690,400 Share: 47.34%
5. Euro 2012 Play-Off (Rep. Ireland vs. Estonia) RTÉ Two 15-11-2011 TVR: 15.85 Average in 000s: 649,000 Share: 37.24%
6. Rugby World Cup 2011 Live (Ireland vs. Italy) RTÉ Two 02-10-2011 TVR: 15.42 Average in 000s: 631,600 Share: 69.65%
7. Euro 2012 Play-Off (Estonia vs. Rep. Ireland) RTÉ Two 11-11-2011 TVR: 14.64 Average in 000s: 599,500 Share: 33.07%
8. The Sunday Game Live (Senior Football Semi-Final, Mayo vs. Kerry) RTÉ Two 21-08-2011 TVR: 13.96 Average in 000s: 569,300 Share: 56.73%
9. Rugby World Cup 2011 Live (Australia vs. Ireland) RTÉ Two 17-09-2011 TVR: 13.32 Average in 000s: 545,600 Share: 61.09%
10. Six Nations Rugby (Ireland vs. France) RTÉ Two 13-02-2011 TVR: 13.31 Average in 000s: 544,100 Share: 48.38%
Top 10 Sports Programmes, 1st January – 31st December 2011, All Channels
Consolidated National Individuals 4+
(the sum of live and timeshifted audiences)
Any Day Any Time – All Episodes
Ranked by TVR (note universe changes three times per year)
*Minimum programme duration is 15 minutes