RTE’s Late Late Show has taken a nosedive in ratings since it returned back to our screens – with figures showing more than 80,000 viewers tuned out since the start of the new season.
The station’s flagship show – hosted by Ryan Tubridy – has seen a ratings dip since the season returned on Friday, September 2.
Figures revealed by RTE show an average 434,000 viewers watched the Friday night chat show across RTE One and RTE+ 1, with the show peaking at 483,000 when it first aired on September 2, the Irish Mirror reports.
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The second show saw an increase of those tuning in – an average of 453,000 viewers watched the show on RTE One and RTE One+1. The show peaked that night with 548,000 viewers tuning in.
But the third show this month appeared to see viewers change channels as Rte revealed an average 394,000 watched the show, which also includes the catch up on RTE+1. The show peaked that night at 456,000 viewers, who tuned in for more than one minute.
But last Friday night’s episode – which also clashed with Culture Night in Dublin – saw an average of just 350,000 tune in across the two channels, with the show seeing a peak audience of 389,000 tuning in.
However, a spokesman said last Friday night’s figure was a “consolidated figure of live TV plus catch up”, adding: “Noting catch-up, is normally read after eight days. Episode Four has not yet surpassed this eight-day period.”
Ryan previously told how ratings don't bother him when he is pitted against comedian Tommy Tiernan’s Saturday night chat show.
Asked at RTE’s new season launch last month if he would ever adapt the popular “spontaneous” element of The Tommy Tiernan Show, which sees the comic interview guests without any knowledge of who they are beforehand, Ryan said: “Well I’ll tell you what, nothing is more spontaneous than a live show, which Tommy’s of course isn’t.
“And that’s the difference between us. Tommys is tremendous. But ours is a different class of spontaneity. It’s very, very alive. I’d like to be a bit more myself maybe. I mean, the guy you meet around a table like this, it’s kind of different to the guy you see on TV on Fridays.
“But he does have the advantage of editing it down in a way I don’t. So it is not comparing like with like. What he does is brilliant in that style and we do our best hell for leather in fully live. So they are two different shows.”
The Dubliner, who also hosts a morning show daily on RTE Radio 1, added: “Tommy’s success is RTE’s success, is my success, it is a family success.”
Ryan said he’d even love to be a guest on the Saturday night series if he got the invite. He continued: “Of course I would if I was invited, but no I haven’t been invited. Because could you imagine what people would say if I went on Tommy’s show? RTE eating each other up, but it would be great.
“But I did do his radio show when he did his version of it but not the TV thing. I went to see him at the Comedy Festival. It was gas. We had a beer afterwards. It was good fun. It’s all peace and love, I’m afraid.”
On Friday, Hollywood icon Jamie Lee will be live in studio to talk about her new movie 'Halloween Ends' and how she feels about being part of one of the most revered horror franchises in film history.
She will also talk about acting as the officiant for her daughter’s wedding in May and why it’s important to be an advocate for inclusivity.
Author, comedian and presenter Graham Norton will be live in studio to catch up with Ryan on everything from his love of West Cork to life as a novelist and his brand-new book Forever Home.
After 15 years of a glittering international rugby career, Brian O’Driscoll retired and when it all ended, he was confronted with the challenge - what will he do now?
In a new documentary, Brian confronts this question with former Irish football international and now psychotherapist Richie Sadlier.
Fresh from selling out the 3Arena in nine minutes, The 2 Johnnies join Ryan to chat about their most recent adventures in America for their new television series, the enormous reaction to Johnny B's catfish story and their new daily radio show ‘Drive It With The 2 Johnnies’ on RTÉ 2FM.
Founding member of 221+ CervicalCheck Patient Support Group Stephen Teap and campaigner Lorraine Walsh will speak about the great Vicky Phelan in light of a new documentary, ‘Vicky’, which is released in cinemas next weekend.
Plus, there will be music from pop sensation Ella Henderson and Cian Ducrot with their current hit ‘All For You’.
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