RTÉ broadcast nine out of the Top 10 most popular television programmes watched by the Irish public in 2005.
According to research carried out by independent research company, AGB Nielsen Media Research, RTÉ broadcast nine of the ten most watched shows out of all channels, digital and terrestrial, received in Ireland.
'The Late Late Toy Show' on Friday 2 December was the most watched programme of 2005, with over 1.1 million viewers tuning in. 'You're A Star Live', when the winner of the competition was announced, was in the number two spot, with an audience of 916,000.
In the third place was the final night of 'The Rose of Tralee', which attracted an audience of 881,000, followed by the 'All-Ireland Football Final', with 887,000* viewers tuning in.
The final episode of Eddie Hobbs' series 'Rip-off Republic' was placed fifth on the list, with an audience of 838,000, followed by 'Killinaskully Christmas Carol', with an audience of 800,000.
The 9 o'clock RTÉ News on Monday 17 January was the seventh most watched programme of the year, when 800,000 people tuned in to hear the latest developments in the Robert Holohan case.
The World Cup Qualifier match between the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland was placed eighth on the list, attracting 769,000 viewers.
Fair City occupied the number 10 spot on the list with an audience of 733,000 on Wednesday 16 February, when Harry Molloy murdered Ross O'Rourke, who was responsible for his daughter's death.
Clare Duignan, Director of Television Programmes, RTÉ, said: "Irish viewers have once again demonstrated their preference for quality home-produced programming to which they can relate."
"This continues an established trend over the past number of years. In 2006, we will deliver even more home-grown programming which our audience has a proven appetite for and to which we are absolutely committed."
* Please note that The Top 10 TV Programmes are based on TV Rating. The universe from which the ratings are calculated, increased in September to reflect a change in population. Therefore number 3 on the list rated more highly than number 4.
