Bumper weekend on RT with record-breaking debut for Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show, and Ireland v Tonga in Rugby World Cup

Bumper weekend on RT with record-breaking debut for Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show, and Ireland v Tonga in Rugby World Cup

Peak Late Late Show audience of 934,000, plus a record- breaking 158,000 streams on RT Player for season opener

7.6 million views across Late Late Show social media accounts

Peak audience of 1,064.7m during Ireland v Tonga

It was a packed weekend of entertainment and sport across RT , with Patrick Kielty's debut at the helm of The Late Late Show on RT One and RT Player, and Ireland's defeat of Tonga live on RT 2 and RT Player from France among the highlights.

On Friday night, viewers from Ireland and across the globe on RT Player tuned in to watch Patrick Kielty make history as only the fourth presenter of the world's longest-running live chatshow. Friday night's eagerly anticipated Late Late Show had an average audience of 830,000 (*Live VOSDAL on RT One and RT One 1), with a 62% audience share. A peak audience of 934,000 tuned in. RT Player has had 158,000 streams of Friday night's show, making it the strongest ever Late Late Show opening on RT Player. There was a 65% audience share among Adults aged 25-44 for the show. On social media, videos posted on Late Late Show accounts have amassed 7.6 million views since September 1st.

Patrick's guests on opening night included Tommy Tiernan, former President Mary McAleese, footballer James McClean, and The 2 Johnnies. There was also live music from Chasing Abbey.

In Sport, an audience of 965,000 (*Live VOSDAL) tuned in to watch Ireland secure a 59-16 win over Tonga at the Rugby World Cup in Nantes, with a 63% audience share. The game peaked at the 20th minute mark, with an audience of 1,064.7m. History was also made on the night as Johnny Sexton beat Ronan O'Gara's long-standing record as Ireland's all-time leading points scorer with a stunning try. There were 162,000 streams of Ireland v Tonga on RT Player.

Coverage continues on RT 2 and RT Player this weekend with Argentina v Samoa on Friday from 4.15pm. On Saturday, Ireland move to the Stade de France to take on South Africa, and RT 's coverage begins on RT 2 at 7pm, where Jacqui Hurley will be joined by Jamie Heaslip, Jerry Flannery, Simon Zebo and Stephen Ferris. On Sunday, Daire O'Brien is joined by Hannah Tyrell and Jerry Flannery for live coverage of Scotland v Tonga from Stade de Nice from 4.15pm.

It was also a busy weekend for drama on RT Friday night's Fair City had an average audience of 257,000 (*Live VOSDAL on RT One and RT One 1), while Sunday's episode, during which Zak's pride threw the kidnapping plans in to disarray, had an average audience of 305,000 (*Live VOSDAL on RT One and RT One 1). There were a further 61,000 streams for Fair City on RT Player.

Episode 3 of Hidden Assets on Sunday evening on RT had an average audience of 218,000 (*Live VOSDAL on RT One and RT One 1). The series so far has had 75,000 streams on RT Player, with Consolidated views of 283,000 for Ep 1 & 2 on RT One and RT One 1.

LINK:	https://about.rte.ie/2023/09/18/bumper-weekend-on-rte-with-record-brea...
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