The Irish public can't get enough of the new series
In case you've been living under a rock (too soon?) over the past couple of weeks, 'Normal People' is the Irish TV series that everyone has been talking about. And they haven't just been talking about it on the radio - viewers have been tuning into the series in their thousands.
Director Lenny Abrahamson's adaptation of Sally Rooney's defining Irish novel has been all that everyone has been paying attention to ever since arriving on screens last week. Joe Duffy's Liveline show had viewers discussing the drama in intricate detail recently, sparking debate on whether the series is fit for TV viewing (just not with your parents perhaps). Either way, the arrival of 'Normal People' on RTE has earned it huge viewing numbers.
As the 'Normal People' frenzy continues, and deservedly so, RTE have released impressive viewing figures for the first two episodes for both terrestrial viewing and online on the RTE Player. And the series has set a brand new record for the online player.
Following the release of the first two episodes Tuesday last, 371,000 viewers tuned in to watch 'Normal People' either live or on catch-up. Additionally, 19,000 watched the broadcast on RTE+1, while the RTE Player recorded a record-breaking 301,000 streams being watched to date, making the series the strongest drama opening ever for the on demand service. The number has no doubt gone on the rise since RTE released these figures, with two more episodes arriving since then.
The show was also a hit with younger viewers, with 30% of young adults aged 15-34 tuning in to watch the debut of Paul Mescal's Connell and Daisy Edgar-Jones' Marianne. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the Liveline discussion was also the most-listened-to radio clip from last week too.
An RTE spokesperson said: "We are delighted to bring this much-anticipated adaptation of Sally Rooney’s book to our viewers on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. There has been a huge response and reaction to the series so far and it's certainly got the nation talking... We’re very proud to air it on RTÉ, particularly at a time that people at home need some entertainment and escapism."
'Normal People' on RTE One will continue to air each Tuesday night, with 12 episodes in the series in total. Read our interview with the cast and crew right here.