Normal People and little Adam helped us embrace Irish TV
LITTLE Adam King and his virtual hug on the Toy Show was just one of many highlights that stood out in a year that saw viewers embrace Irish television shows.
Our 2020 telly vision had a definite green tinge, as RTÉ saw lockdowns boost its viewership – with a large portion tuning in to programmes and films made here.
The national broadcaster said new figures show Irish stories and content brought people together in an exceptionally difficult year.
Viewing on the RTÉ Player in 2020 jumped by more than a third (36%) from 2019. Meanwhile, TV owners spent an average of two
‘Irish stories and content unite people’
hours and 40 minutes tuned in every day.
The most watched show of the year was the Late Late Toy Show, which was seen on TV by 1.7million and streamed by 575,000 more.
The second most-watched broadcast in 2020 was Leo Varadkar’s St Patrick’s Day address, in which he announced pubs and bars would be closed as we entered lockdown. This drew 1.6million viewers.
The chiselled abs and iconic chain of Paul Mescal’s Connell helped make Normal People the most watched show online, with its top episode viewed 818,000 times.
Comedy and drama was the go-to for most people in need of a lift – with The Young Offenders streamed 147,000 times; The Secret She Keeps 122,000 times; and Love/ Hate 109,000 times.
Adrian Lynch, director of RTÉ audiences, channels and marketing, said the highs and lows of 2020 will stay with us for a long time. ‘Looking at the Top 50 programmes, it’s clear that Irish stories and content are the programmes that bring people together.’
RTÉ came out on top in all genres, with 43 of the top 50 Irish shows in 2020.