Figures released by Television Audience Measurement Ireland show that Tubridy and his array of kiddie co-stars on The Late Late Toy Show was Ireland’s most watched programme of 2015.
The Toy Show took in a whopping 72% share of the audience’s viewing on November 27th. - which translates as more than 1.5 million pairs of eyes. The show first aired in 1975 and has gained cult status amongst the Irish audience members ever since.
Meanwhile, Tubridy is joined by some considerably weightier characters on the top table, as TV3’s Rugby World Cup coverage claims the next three spots. Having lost out on a selection of their entertainment shows to UTV Ireland, the global showpiece proved to be a canny investment for the Ballymount crew, and with the 6 Nations to be added to their offerings from 2018, things are looking very bright indeed.
Sport dominates the list, in fact, with the exploits of Martin O'Neill's men also featuring prominently, as well as a selection of the prime GAA offerings of the year.
In among the high-octane action, homegrown programming such as Charlie and Mrs. Brown’s Boys continues to be popular amongst viewers - which is encouraging to see with the amount of 1916 memorial Irish productions to take place this year. Whether or not these programmes will be enough to push Tubridy and his ridiculous attires from the top spot next time remains to be seen...
The Top 20 Programmes of 2015 is as follows:
1. The Late Late Toy Show – RTÉ One
2. RWC Live France v. Ireland – TV3
3. RWC Live Ireland v. Argentina – TV3
4. RWC Live Ireland v. Italy – TV3
5. Sunday Game Live – Dublin v. Kerry: All Ireland Football Final – RTÉ 2
6. Charlie – RTÉ One
7. Euro 2016 Qualifier Play Off: Ireland v. Bosnia – RTÉ 2
8. Euro 2016 Qualifier: Poland v. Ireland – RTÉ 2
9. Mrs. Brown’s Boys : Mammy’s Widow’s Memories – RTÉ One
10. RWC Live: Ireland v. Romania – TV3
11. RBS 6 Nations: Ireland v. England – RTÉ 2
12. Mrs. Brown’s Boys: Mammy’s Christmas Punch – RTÉ One
13. Sunday Game Live- Kilkenny v. Galway: All Ireland Hurling Final – RTÉ 2
14. RTÉ News: 9 O’Clock – RTÉ One
15. The Late Late Show – RTÉ One
16. RWC Live: England v. Australia – TV3
17. The Voice of Ireland – RTÉ One
18. Sunday Game Live: Dublin v. Mayo Football Semi Final – RTÉ 2
19. Saturday Game Live: Dublin v. Mayo Football Semi Final Replay – RTÉ 2
20. Room to Improve: RTÉ One