Christmas No.1 goes to Agnes Brown as Mrs Brown’s Boys tops Christmas ratings for ninth year running

9 out of the top 10 programmes are watched on RTÉ

As we enter into a new decade, the Christmas number one goes to Mrs Brown’s Boys, for the ninth year in a row. Agnes’s world was turned upside down when an angel arrived in Finglas and granted her a wish to see what life would be like if she’d never been born. Mrs Brown’s Boys – A Wonderful Mammy was watched by an average of 574,000 viewers and achieved a 41% share, an increase of 4% with a 41% share among younger audiences (15 to 34’s).

Audiences continued to turn to RTÉ for their news across the Christmas period as the Six One News scored second highest Irish rated programme with viewers averaging at 437,400 (42% share) on Christmas Eve. The Nine O’Clock News was the 5th most watched programme with it averaging 368,400 (30%) on Friday 27th December.

Fair City viewers were treated to an hour-long special on Christmas Day and witnessed an explosive episode as secrets were revealed when Hayley Collins found out who her real mother was, while Doug and Erica finally found love unbeknownst to his best friend and her fiancée Daragh. 332,700 viewers (21% share) sat down to watch the Christmas special.

2019 saw the death of one of Ireland’s greatest entertainers, Brendan Grace. RTÉ aired a three-part series in the autumn to honour him and his Thanks For The Memories Concert was broadcast as part of the Christmas schedule. An average of 329,000 viewers (29% share) watched this memorable night which was a fitting send off to a man who loved a party and to remember one more time the man who brought so much laughter and happiness to the nation.

Brendan Grace – A Late Late Show Special aired on Friday 20th December averaged 495,000 with 47.6% share.

Big Christmas Rewind saw Irish celebrities and their real-life or TV families sit down together to rewind through a nostalgic, heart-warming and hilarious mix of the best of Irish Christmas telly from years gone by.The programme was viewed by 312,000 (29% share).

Christmas movies on RTÉ proved to be a big hit with viewers. The most popular movie over the period was Home Alone 2 – Lost in New York, watched by 381,000 on Christmas day and was viewed by 51% of 15 to 34 year olds. Second most popular was Beauty and the Beast watched by 369,000, which also aired on Christmas Day, with Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Olaf’s Frozen Adventure also faring well with audiences.

Overall, younger viewers (15-34’s) were up across RTÉ on Christmas Day, with a combined average share – across RTÉ One, RTÉ2, both +1 channels and  RTÉjr- of 39%.

On RTÉ2, comedy also rated highly, featuring the Fr Ted Christmas Special (209,000) and The Young Offenders Christmas Special (198,000) plus high rating movies including Jurassic World (189,000), The Guard (159,000) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (155,000).

New Years Eve

Party into the New Year with Tipperary star Una Healy and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra together with a star studded cast, including The Waterboys, David Gray, Wallis Bird, Brian Kennedy and many more special guests for what promises to be a truly magical night.

Following Una Healy’s NYE Party, the NYE Countdown Concert from Custom House Quay in Dublin will begin for the spectacular midnight moment. Playing us into the New Year will be Walking on Cars. Music fans can see the whole concert with Ash, Aimee and Lisa McHugh also streamed live on RTÉ Player.

Broadcast information available at www.rte.ie/presspack

Note:

Source for television figures: TAM Ireland Ltd/ Nielsen TAM, Live + VOSDAL data, National Individuals

*Average audience – The average number of viewers across a programme or series, expressed in 000’s. TV viewing is measured minute-by-minute, so the average audience is the average across all of these minutes