The crowning of the new Rose of Tralee drew a peak of 808,140**, as viewers watched an ecstatic and emotional Texan Haley O’Sullivan named the 55th Rose of Tralee. An average of 668,000*** viewers watched the final show, which had a share of 49%.
25-year-old Haley O’Sullivan is a Dallas GAA fanatic and former elementary teacher. Her grandfather was raised in Bere Island off the coast of Co. Cork and left Ireland when he was 17. Over the course of the second night Haley wowed judges, audience and viewers alike with her gregarious personality and was the instigator of the hilarious Harlem Shake on the Roses tour bus! This is the first time that a Texas Rose has won the competition.
Rose of Tralee host said Dáithí Ó Sé: “I’ve had another fantastic year hosting the Rose of Tralee and I’m delighted for Haley. Her lively personality and caring nature really shone through during the week and also on stage. She will be a great ambassador for the Rose of Tralee”
RTÉ executive producer of this year’s Rose of Tralee show Michael Kealy said, “We are delighted with this year’s viewing figures. Nearly 1 in 2 people in Ireland watching television at that time tuned in for the second night of The Rose of Tralee and this proves yet again what a big hit it is with viewers. As always the consummate professional Dáithí Ó Sé’s effervescent personality made the live event much more fun for the Roses! I wish the newly crowned Rose of Tralee Haley O’Sullivan all the best in her new role”.
The Rose of Tralee Festival was also streamed live and made available on demand on the RTÉ Player. A total of 105,000 streams have been recorded to date, with 37,000 of this being from the live online simulcasts on both nights. There was also a large amount of international interest in the festival, with an estimated 40% of the streams delivered outside of Ireland.
32 Roses took to the stage over the course of two nights and audience and viewers alike were entertained with fish kissing, rum shots, rapping and a live proposal! Host Dáithí also kept the Roses on their toes with his witty repertoire, controversial beard and mum worshipping!
Rose of Tralee 2013 winner Haley O’Sullivan said: “I’m shocked but thrilled to be crowned the Rose of Tralee. It’s such an honour to represent the Roses and Festival.” She also paid tribute to 2010 former Texas Rose Adrienne Hussey who tragically died of a brain aneurysm at just 26 years of age. Haley has been involved in campaigns to help raise funds for medical scholarships at the University of Limerick. “I’m delighted to be able to continue her legacy and raise awareness of this cause”
END
DATE ISSUED: 21 August 2013
For Further information please contact:
Sinead Harrington, RTÉ TV Press Office, sinead.harrington@rte.ie, 087-666-9311,01-208-2787
Source: TAM Ireland Ltd/ Nielsen TAM, Live plus VOSDAL data, National Individuals
* Reach – the net number or percentage of people who have seen a particular piece of broadcast output. The TAM Ireland definition is 1+ minute
**peak-minute audience of 808,140 viewers recorded at 11.19 p.m.
***average audience – The average number of viewers across a programme or series, expressed in 000s. TV viewing is measured minute-by-minute, so the average audience is the average across all of these minutes