As the All-Ireland Football Final approaches, viewing figures released today show that Dublin’s attempt to win five senior titles in a row alongside enthralling Hurling and Camogie Championships are bringing more people to their TVs to watch live GAA on RTÉ than last year.
Dublin’s clash with Mayo in the semi-final on Saturday, August 10th was watched by 697,000 viewers on RTÉ2, yielding a 63% share of viewing. That was 244,000 more than watched last year’s semi-final game between Dublin and Galway, which commanded a 47% share. In this year’s other semi-final, 546,000 individuals watched Kerry overcome Tyrone, a 22% increase on 2018’s semi-final meeting between Monaghan and Tyrone (449,000). And it wasn’t just the latter stages of the Football Championship that caught people’s imagination. Average viewing for all games in the Super 8s shown on RTÉ this year was 344,000 compared to 303,000 in 2018.
It hasn’t only been Dublin residents watching the Boys in Blue march on. 28% of viewing to the Senior Football Championship in 2019 has come from Munster with a further 27% originating in Connacht/Ulster. In fact, just 18% of viewing to the live matches this summer has come from the county of Dublin with a further 27% from the Rest of Leinster.
Viewing of the Senior Hurling Championship has also been buoyant. The 17 matches in 2019 shown on RTÉ television have commanded an average share of 46.9%, up from 45.6% in 2018. Furthermore, interest in Camogie has grown year-on-year, with the All Ireland quarter-finals registering an 11% increase in average thousands, while the semi-finals grew by 18%.
All indications suggest that given the historic nature of this weekend’s game whatever the outcome, the nation as a whole looks set to turn to the national broadcaster for a truly national moment.
RTÉ Group Head of Sport, Declan McBennett said “RTÉ is delighted that its high level of production coverage and analysis throughout the Championship has attracted a growing audience. The standard of games this year has risen, particularly in the football championship with the nation now anticipating a thrilling climax this weekend which we are delighted to bring to the national audience”
The Sunday Game Live coverage of the All Ireland Football Final begins on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player at 2.15pm on September 1 with live coverage also on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 and on Spórt an Lae on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Fans can also join the Sunday Sport warm up with The Dressing Room at 11am on the RTÉ Player, RTÉ International Player and RTÉ News Now.