RTÉ
RTÉ Scores Top 20 Television Programmes in Ireland in 2016
RTÉ television broadcast all 20 of the top 20 programmes broadcast in Ireland last year, just-released TAM Ireland/Nielsen consolidated figures have revealed.
RTÉ One continues to be Ireland’s most popular channel, increasing its peak-time audience share by 2% to 25.4%** in 2016 while RTÉ2 also performed well growing its audience by 6% with a share of 7.3%.***
Commenting on the figures, Dermot Horan, Acting Managing Director, RTÉ Television said: “These figures confirm that, despite the fact that Irish audiences have access to more than 800 channels, RTÉ is still their television broadcaster of choice when it comes to accessing quality home-grown programming. Last year was an extremely busy year for RTÉ with the general election, the 2016 centenary celebrations, the Euros and the Olympics and it is heartening to see that when it comes to the big events, Irish audiences still turn to RTÉ when they want quality, comprehensive coverage”.
The Late Late Toy Show continues to be the country’s favourite night on television with 1.57 million people watching last year’s Jungle Book themed extravaganza, making it the second most watched television show of the century so far.
The Late Late Show remains the biggest entertainment programme on Irish television, earning its own slot in the top 20 with the February 19th edition featuring, among others, journalist Paul Williams and model Alicia Douvall.
In a big year for sport, RTÉ’s coverage of UEFA Euro 2016, the All Ireland Football and Hurling Finals, the Guinness Series Live and RBS 6 Nations account for two thirds of the top 20. RTÉ2’s coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s defeat to the French at UEFA Euro 2016 was the second most watched programme on television this year with a total audience of 1.26 million people.
In news, RTÉ’s general election coverage proved a big draw with the Nine O’Clock News on February 27, the day of the election results, proving to be the most popular news bulletin of the year with 721,400 viewers.
In drama, comedy and lifestyle programming, RTÉ continues to lead the way. The first episode of landmark series Rebellion was watched by 713,000 viewers. More recently, 706,600 viewers enjoyed the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special – Mrs Brown’s Boys: Mammy’s Forest. The episode wasn’t the only appearance by Agnes and family in the Top 20 with the Mrs Brown’s Boys Live special broadcast in summer watched by a total of 630,600 viewers. Once again, the trials and tribulations of home transformation in Room to Improve proved very popular with 679,100 viewers watching architect Dermot Bannon transform a coach-house on February 28th edition of the show.
Dermot Horan said: “It is great to see that television remains a central part of Irish lives, as shown by TAM Ireland’s figures, and that RTÉ television is their first choice. Our commitment to delivering top quality Irish television remains core to what we do and audiences respond in kind as shown by the fact that Sunday night’s slate of programming on RTÉ One – Dancing with the Stars, Fair City, The Nine O’Clock News and Striking Out – attracted audiences of, at least, half a million viewers.
This is the first time since 2014 that RTÉ has secured all 20 of the Top 20 programmes of the year.
For more information on the figures and how Irish TV viewing habits have changed in 2016 go to http://www.tamireland.ie/node/517.
The Top 20 Consolidated Programmes of the Year:*
** RTÉ One, including +1, grew its audience by 2% YoY to 25.4% in peak time.
* * Sources: TAM Ireland Ltd/Nielsen TAM, Consolidated data, NationalIndividuals 4+, Jan-Dec 2016
***RTÉ2 grew its audience by 6% YoY to 7.3%
For more information:
Contact Tara O’Brien, Communications Manager, RTÉ Television. Tel: 012082287 /0863544481 tara.obrien@rte.ie
Photos available on request or www.rte.ie/presspack