What did you watch? Most-watched TV programmes in Ireland for 2025 are revealed

Newly released TV viewing figures have proven that it has been yet another successful year for RTÉ as the broadcaster continues to attract younger viewers, having the highest level in over 14 years.  

Along with this, RTÉ also delivered the highest TV audiences in Ireland in 2025 with The Late Late Toy Show yet again taking top spot while The Traitors Ireland also entered the top 10. Sport made up the remaining eight out of the top 10 most-watched programmes as Troy Parrott’s World Cup qualifier goals, All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals, and the Guinness Six Nations all featured prominently.
 
With an increase on the previous two years, the broadcaster delivered 45 of the top 50 most-watched programmes across all channels available in Ireland, with a mix of sport, entertainment, documentaries, news & current affairs, as well as drama and comedy.

The most-watched programme on Virgin Media One was the Ireland v England Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium which was number 5 in the overall table.

Virgin Media One's coverage of three other Ireland Rugby matches also feature in the top 50 as does an episode of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

READ MORE: ALERT: Two popular ready-meals sold in Dunnes Stores and Tesco urgently recalled
 
2025 was a year of big national and international events with RTÉ bringing audiences relevant and engaging content including the final of The Traitors Ireland, the Prime Time Presidential Debate, as well as the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, the Six Nations, Quilter Nations Series and the GAA All-Ireland Championships.

The RTÉ Player also had its most successful year to date, attracting a record-breaking 157 million streams in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase. 

Eastenders was number one on RTÉ Player followed by Fair City, Home and Away and The Traitors Ireland. RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock and RTÉ News: Six One are also in the top 10 of 2025 on RTÉ Player followed by Bluey, The Sunday Game Live, Yellowstone and Love/Hate.

Home-produced documentaries including DJ Carey: The Dodger, Gerry Hutch: AKA The Monk and Michael Lynn: the Fugitive, entertainment favourites The Late Late Show, Dancing with the Stars, Ireland’s Fittest Family and The Rose of Tralee, as well as comedy and drama like Fair City and The Walsh Sisters all proved hugely popular in 2025 also.

With 2025 being a presidential election year, RTÉ continued to be the home of trusted news and current affairs with the Prime Time: Presidential Debate and The Katie Hannon Interview both featuring in the most-watched programmes of the year, while Nationwide and the RTÉ Six One News also made the top 50.
 
Home renovation programming continued to be as popular as ever as the top 50 list included Room to Improve, Cheap Irish Homes, DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland and The Great House Revival featuring the late Hugh Wallace.
 
While individual performances are not captured in programme averages, RTÉ’s coverage of an incredible performance from Troy Parrott and the Irish Football team brought the nation to a standstill as a last-minute goal against Hungary propelled them into the next stages of the World Cup qualifiers with figures peaking at over a million viewers. 

Steve Carson, Director of Video, RTÉ, said: “It's been a remarkable year for RTÉ programming - audiences in Ireland, of all ages, joined us in record numbers on television and on RTÉ Player across a wide range of genres, from trusted news & current affairs, Irish drama, entertainment and documentaries, as well as national events and major sporting moments.

"RTÉ, our staff and programme makers, and our colleagues in the independent sector are committed to bringing the people of Ireland relevant, engaging content that truly sets us apart from global media companies and streamers," he concluded.