1 million viewers tune in to ‘Ireland’s Storms Live’ on TV3

Friday 14th, 13:32pm

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Friday 14th February, 2014.

1 million viewers tune in to ‘Ireland’s Storms Live’ on TV3

The ratings winner was the longest live primetime show ever broadcast on TV3.

Due to the rapid escalation of the storm, the ground-breaking special was created only hours before broadcast.

It was all hands on deck as TV3 drafted news anchors, reporters, journalists and even sports reporters from across the station to contribute to the gripping coverage.

In an unprecedented effort to bring its viewers live coverage of the devastating Irish storms which have wreaked havoc on the nation, TV3 interrupted its entire prime time schedule on Wednesday to bring viewers a ground-breaking news special, Ireland’s Storms Live, the longest live show ever broadcast at peak-time on TV3.

Proving a massive ratings success, almost 1 million viewers (952,200 Individuals) tuned in to watch the reportage, which exposed the shocking extent of the damage and chaos that the recent bout of bad weather was bringing with it.

Due to the rapid escalation of the storm, TV3 only decided to produce this programme at 2.30pm on Wednesday afternoon, as soon as the scale of the storm became clear, giving the station only a few hours to prepare a full Live studio show, including a full panel of weather experts. Due to the sheer pace that the exceptional special was pulled together, it was all hands on deck at the station as TV3 drafted news anchors, reporters, journalists and even sports reporters from across the station to contribute to the gripping coverage.

Ireland’s Storms Live reached 952,200 individuals, averaging 246,700 viewers with a 16.14% share for Individuals. The peak quarter hour (20:30-20:44) delivered 293,720 viewers for the station. The remarkable programme recorded high shares across the board, including an 18.56% for Adults 15-24 and 19.49% for Housekeepers With Kids.

Speaking about the success of ‘Ireland’s Storms Live’, TV3 Group Director of Content, Jeff Ford said: “This programme is a testament to the exceptional staff working at TV3 who all chipped in to deliver this winning news special just a few hours before broadcast. This is public service broadcasting at its best, with the immense figures proving that TV3 will go to great lengths to bring viewers relevant content of significant importance.”

The feedback on social media was also a big win for the station with many viewers commending the station for its efforts in bringing them the latest weather updates. One viewer wrote “Well done TV3 on last night’s storm coverage - real public broadcaster #TV3Weather #irishtv #stormireland.”

Another viewer tweeted: “TV3 with a fraction of the budget doing a much better job on the storm. Bernard…”

“TV3 is like watching Sky News this evening. Intensive coverage of the storm... #stormireland#tv3news#skynews”

Images have been sent to your picture desks.

ENDS

For further information
Ciara Byrne

Press Officer

087 319 9732

Sharon McHugh
Head of Press & Publicity

087 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie

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