Ireland’s defeat of France in the RBS 6 Nations on Saturday attracted almost 200,000 more viewers than Ireland’s opener against Italy in 2008.
An average audience of 702,000 tuned in to RTÉ Two for the entirety of Ireland’s first match compared with 507,000 last year.
The RTÉ Two audience peaked at 806,000 viewers at 6.32pm when Gordon D’Arcy scored the try which secured an Ireland victory over France for the first time since March 2003.
RTÉ Group Head of Sport Glen Killane was delighted with the figures, saying: ‘It’s a great start to the tournament for both Ireland and RTÉ.
‘If Ireland are to continue in the same vein as they started then it will just keep gathering momentum for both the team and fans, and perhaps even provide some light relief from the country’s current economic woes.’
RTÉ Sport is providing comprehensive coverage of this year’s RBS 6 Nations across all platforms, including the live broadcast of all 15 matches during the five weekends of the tournament on RTÉ Two television and on RTÉ.ie (within the Island of Ireland). All of Ireland's matches will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 on FM, LW 252, DAB and streamed live on radio worldwide on RTÉ.ie.
Source: AGB Nielsen Media Research
