RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show was once again the most-watched programme on Irish television for 2025, according to viewing figures released by TAM Ireland/Nielsen Media.
The Toy Show dominated the top spot with an audience of 1,590,200 in December as presenter Patrick Kielty took to the stage alongside children from across Ireland for a Grinch-themed show. This was up on last year’s viewership of 1,525,800.
Sport dominated much of the top-10 most watched television programmes last year. The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final between Cork and Tipperary on RTÉ2 had 995,300 viewers, taking second place.
Spots two to six and from eight to 10 on the most-watched list were different sports matches. The reality gameshow The Traitors Ireland, on RTÉ One, came in at seventh position with 818,000 viewers.
The Six Nations match between Ireland and France on RTÉ2 was in third position, while the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final between Donegal and Kerry, also on RTÉ2 was fourth.
In fifth spot was the Six Nations match between Ireland and England on Virgin Media One.
While GAA and rugby matches dominated the top 10, in eighth position was the World Cup qualifier between Hungary and the Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2.
Overall, RTÉ delivered 45 of the Top 50 of 2025’s most-watched shows on TV.
RTÉ said it saw an increase in the number of younger viewers aged 15 to 34 years at 25.8 per cent last year, the highest level in more than 14 years.
Meanwhile, the RTÉ Player had 157 million streams in 2025, a 10 per cent year-on-year increase as time spent watching saw an increase of 17 per cent.
EastEnders was the most watched item on the player followed by Fair City, Home and Away and The Traitors Ireland. While individual player figures were not provided, the following were the top 10 shows watched on the player last year:
RTÉ’s director of video Steve Carson 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 and 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.”