The return of sporting fixtures in October has result in a boom for Irish Broadcasters. 48.5% of viewers tuned to Irish Broadcasters in October 2020, the highest rating for Irish channels since February when most sporting fixtures came to an end due to COVID-19 restrictions. RTÉ\'s average share of the audience was up 11% month-on-month, on an annual basis it was down 2% in October 2020. Virgin Media was up 6% month-on-month, and up 20% year-on-year. The return of sport and continued corona coverage helping them retrieve something from a summer lacking sport. Meanwhile the sports wars between eir and Virgin Media have seen both sports channels see their shares fall on an annual basis. TG4 increased its audience share by 15% month-on-month, but saw a 53% increase compared to October 2019.
Irish TV broadcasters saw their audience share grown in September with a 44% share of the TV audience. RTÉ average share of the audience was up 6% month-on-month, on an annual basis it was down 9% in September 2020. Virgin Media was also up 10% month-on-month, and up 7% year-on-year. Returning and new shows helping them retrieve something from a summer lacking sport. Meanwhile the sports wars between eir and Virgin Media have seen both sports channels see their shares fall.
Irish TV broadcasters retained their 41% share of the TV audience, however the share dwindled during the summer months, with February seeing a 49% share of the audience due in part to the General Election and the arrival of the Corona Virus. RTÉ average share of the audience was down 1% month-on-month, on an annual basis it was down 4% in August 2020. Virgin Media was also down 3% month-on-month, and down 1% year-on-year. Both services are limited by the number of new home-produced shows available to them, with RTÉ News taking a break in August meaning their main-evening news was cut to 30 minutes, with a number of 60 minute programmes due to breaking covid news.
RTÉ average share of the audience was down 7% month-on-month, on an annual basis it was down 2% in July 2020. Virgin Media was up 10% month-on-month, but down 13% year-on-year. Both services are limited by the number of new home-produced shows available to them, with RTÉ News taking an earlier break in mid-July, resulting in the cutting of their main-evening news to 30 minuntes, usually this happens in August.
With a worldwide lockdown in place live TV has struggled this summer without the normal summer sports. 2020 was due to bring us the Euros and the Olympic Games, both postponed. TV news continues to hold its audiences as production of key soaps were halted in March. RTÉ's total TV audience for June 2020 was 25%, it was down 7% from May, and down 1% from June 2019. Virgin Media had an average audience of 15% an decrease of 3% since May, down down 21% from June 2019.
News of the general election and the cornavirus have seen both RTÉ ONE's and VMT ONE's audience share increase dramatically. RTÉ's total TV audience for Feburary 2020 was 29%,it was up 7% from January, and up 14% from February 2019. Virgin Media had an average audience of 18% an increase of 11% since January, but down 3% from February 2019.