RTÉ’s ‘Rebellion’ seizes power in battle for viewers

RTÉ One's 1916 drama Rebellion got off to a strong start on Sunday night, when its first hour-long episode was watched by 619,000 viewers, or 41 per cent of the available audience.

A further 45,000 watched the episode later on Sunday night on RTÉ One+1, while 9,200 have watched it on the RTÉ Player to date, where it remains available.

The five-part series covers the events of Easter 1916, as seen through the eyes of friends from Dublin, Belfast and London, as they play conflicting roles in the Rising.

RTÉ One was the channel of choice for Irish viewers over the Christmas and New Year period, broadcasting nine of the 10 most-watched programmes in Ireland.

The Mrs Brown’s Boys episode broadcast on RTÉ One on New Year’s Eve was the top-rated programme on Irish television over the holiday period, with 765,000 viewers to date.

RTÉ One’s Nine O’Clock and Six-One news bulletins attracted 629,000 and 611,00 viewers respectively on Sunday night.

Strong ratings

There were also strong ratings on Sunday night for returning series on RTÉ One.

The first episode of The Voice of Ireland attracted an average audience of 486,900, or 33 per cent share, while an additional 28,500 watched it on RTÉ One+1.

The new series of At Your Service attracted an average audience of 455,500.

Fair City also attracted 478,000 viewers on Sunday night.

Other 1916 television programmes planned by RTÉ for the centenary include 1916, a three-part documentary series narrated by Liam Neeson, and Joe Duffy's Children of the Revolution.