TV3 Group audience up 57% and on-demand service grows

Flagship channel enjoyed a 26% rise in viewers as newbie Be3 delivers 2.6% share

The newly strengthened TV3 Group saw viewership rise by more than 50 per cent in January, with its flagship channel enjoying a 26 per cent year-on-year jump in audience growth.

TV3 said its newest channel Be3, delivered a 2.6 per cent share of viewing in its first month on air, making its the sixth most watched channel in the country, ahead of TG4 and Channel 4.

Be3 is a “female-focused” channel, which was formerly UTV Ireland until it was acquired for €10 million from ITV.

Viewing of the group’s channels combined increased 57 per cent versus January 2016.

READ MORE

The broadcaster's second channel 3e, which is aimed at 15-to-44-year-olds with a focus on light entertainment, grew its audience share by 53 per cent year-on-year, helped by its showing of Celebrity Big Brother last month.

3player, TV3 Group’s digital on-demand service, also delivered impressive growth, with plays of its online content up 94 per cent in January.

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor is a former Irish Times business journalist