More than 1.3 million people tuned into the Late Late Toy Show this year – but it was down as Ryan Tubridy feared.
Figures show that 1.357 million people watched the Christmas extravaganza, down around 20,000 on last year’s show – with 70% of the country tuning in at some point.
However despite the 1.4% drop, it still does make it the most watched TV programme of the year – easily beating out Love/Hate.
And Tubs said: “I’m delighted with the viewership figures and would like to thank everyone who tuned in to watch the Late Late Toy Show.
Angst: Tubs feared Love/Hate will do better in ratings | RTE
“It’s a bonkers programme and I love presenting it. But it’s the children who make the show what it is and the whole experience more fun and special for everyone”.
Speaking before Friday’s Late Late Toy Show, Tubridy told Goss.ie that he feared its dominance would be killed off by Love/Hate, which got just over a million viewers for its final.
“I have no intention of exceeding last year’s figure, I don’t think that is realistic at all. So I would manage all expectations,” he said.
Monkey-ing around: Tubs enjoying the Late Late set | ANDRES POVEDA
“Love/Hate is a phenomenon, it comes along every couple of years, and it blows us all out of the water because it’s so magnificent. Figures last year were at record levels so I don’t think we’ll beat that record, being honest about it.
“Because it was through the roof and I don’t think it would be realistic of me to say we’ll do better than that so I would manage that myself and say, ‘If we can get close to that, that would be delightful’.”
