Reeling In The Years is reeling in the ratings as the opening show pulled in more than half a million viewers – overtaking chat show kings Tommy Tiernan and Ryan Tubridy in the
ratings war.
The first episode in a much-anticipated new series was watched by an average audience of 515,000 viewers on Sunday on RTE One, with a 49.2% share among 15- to 34-year-olds.
The hit show made its welcome return at the weekend, casting an eye back on the stories and songs of the previous decade.
The 2010 episode recalled notable headlines of the year including the big
freeze in Ireland, an Icelandic “ash cloud” that brought travel chaos across Europe and the IMF bailout.
It took place to a soundtrack including Rihanna, Rubberbandits and Adele – and was the subject of huge conversation on social media as it aired on national TV.
Just missing out on his winning streak, Tommy Tiernan’s penultimate show was close behind. Tommy’s latest offering featured Dublin homelessness worker Peter McVerry, HIV activist Robbie Lawlor and Sligo funeral director David McGowan and his daughter, harpist Brid McGowan. The latest figures released by RTE revealed Tiernan was watched by an average audience of 504,000, while Friday night’s Late Late Show, with guests Dervla Kirwan, Padraig Harrington and a host of Irish country musicians, fell short again in the weekend ratings war, with 461,000 viewers.
The Tommy Tiernan Show has just one instalment left and will be taking a break after next Saturday.
The hit show was originally scheduled to end at the end of February but was extended until mid-April.
In what was a competitive weekend for TV, RTE’s whodunnit drama Smother culminated in an exciting finale on Sunday with 400,000 tuning in.
Meanwhile, the first episode of the new Burren: Heart of Stone series, voiced by Brendan Gleeson, was watched by 309,000, and Brendan Courtney’s returning Keys to my Life, was seen by 232,000.
Jennifer Zamparelli’s new Saturday evening family quiz show Home Advantage, trailed behind, with 225,00 viewers.
The family quiz show, which has an interesting twist, saw only one player present in the TV studio, while their participating family stay at home and beam into the studio on a giant screen at key moments to offer their wisdom.
