TV3 ENDS THE YEAR ON A RATINGS HIGH!

TV3 NEWS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE:  Thursday 18th December 2008

TV3 ENDS THE YEAR ON A RATINGS HIGH!

On Saturday 13th December 2008 TV3 was the most watched station in Ireland
News at 5.30 had its biggest audience since January
Xposé had one of its biggest nights ever
Increased Irish programming content on TV3 pulls in the viewers


TV3 ends the year with three consecutive days of record ratings.  On Saturday 13th December 2008, TV3 was the most watched station in Ireland with thousands of viewers tuning in to watch the final of The X Factor.  This major event was watched by 523,000 viewers with over 40% of Adults15-34 tuning in. The X Factor Result programme delivered an even more impressive 582,000 viewers, the highest ever audience for The X Factor, making it one of the top rated shows on Irish television last week.

This was followed on Sunday night with the award-winning film, The Wind that Shakes the Barley (which was funded by seed capital from TV3), generating TV3's highest movie audience of the year with 282,000 viewers tuning in.

On Monday 15th December TV3 News at 5.30 had its biggest audience since January with an average of 246,000; Xposé had one of its biggest nights ever with 125,000 viewers and a string of Irish programmes Raising Children, 20 Moments that Rocked Ireland and Ripping off the Rich boosted Monday night viewing.  The stand out performer on the night was 20 Moments that Rocked Ireland which attracted an average audience of 269,000 viewers.

All of this follows on from other major Irish programming successes from TV3 this year to date including The Apprentice with Bill Cullen, Dirty Money with Paul Williams, Nightly News with Vincent Browne and TV3's live and exclusive coverage of Gaelic Games over the summer, all proving to be major ratings successes.

Pat Kiely, TV3's Commercial Director commented:

"To perform as strongly as we have in recent weeks is fantastic, particularly considering how competitive television schedules are at this time of year. I am delighted also that this exceptional audience performance has largely come from original Irish commissions and event programming which have really boosted TV3's unique viewership. This has not only extended our lead as Ireland's second most watched channel but firmly positions TV3 as the channel of choice for 15 to 44 year olds." 

For further information:

TV3 Press Office

01 419 3426 / 36 / 30

Deirdre Walsh 086 836 1444

publicity@tv3.ie

www.tv3.ie