FIRST WEEKEND IN 2025, VIEWERS TURN TO RTÉ IN HIGH NUMBERS

As the cold snap took hold of the country, viewers turned to RTÉ as their public service media in big numbers for updates on the latest news and weather while the new year schedule kept everyone entertained with new faces, familiar voices and Irish music to get them through the winter nights.

As severe weather conditions took hold across the country, the public turned to RTÉ News for the latest updates from the key regions. The RTÉ Six One News last night was the most watched programme of the weekend on television in Ireland attracting 599,000* viewers on Sunday evening, with further updates on the Nine O’Clock News watched by an average of 582,000* viewers.

Non-stop weekend entertainment started last weekend with an all-new Irish line-up on Saturday nights, which became the new destination for Ireland’s Fittest Family. It was watched by an average audience of 386,000 viewers on RTÉ One and RTÉ +1 with 33% of the available audience. The programme has generated over 29,000 streams to date on RTÉ Player. This was followed by a new season of The Young Offenders which was watched by an average audience of 346,000 on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1, with a 31% share while 700,000 have watched series four on RTÉ Player to date. The Tommy Tiernan Show then returned with a new series, where guests included Pete Doherty, Irvine Welsh and Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh and a special musical tribute to Eoin French, known as Talos, who passed away in August. This was watched by an average audience of 364,000 viewers on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1 with 34% of the available audience watching on RTÉ One. The programme has generated over 25,000 streams to date on the RTÉ Player.

Dancing with the Stars returned last night for its 8^th season. This year, dancer Karen Byrne held a judging paddle instead of a glitter ball as she took her seat as the 4^th judge. This proved to be a winner with viewers as the programme was watched by an average of 580,000 viewers on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1 with 40% share. It also generated a further 34,000 streams to date on RTÉ Player.

Viewers were glued to last night’s Fair City as Kira Cassidy returned and found an unlikely new home with Orla, while Carol reluctantly gave Steo a trial run as assistant manager.  Ireland’s favourite drama had an average of 377,000 viewers on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1 with 27% audience share. To date, there have been 18,000 episode streams on RTÉ Player.

First stop for architect Dermot Bannon and QS Claire Irwin last night was Charlestown in Co. Mayo. Karen Mulligan was born and raised in this village, in the family business that was a home as well as her Dad’s butcher’s shop.  RTÉ viewers will never look at timber joists the same way again! Room to Improve had an average of 553,000 viewers and a 45% share on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1 and the episode has generated over 20,000 streams to date on RTÉ Player.

ENDS 

*Average viewership across RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1 broadcasts, VOSDAL, All Individuals

RTÉ Communications:   Maureen Catterson