Ratings boost for Frontline ...while Browne's off the air

Adelina Campos

PAT KENNY might want to buy Vincent Browne an extended holiday as TV figures suggest a massive rivalry between their current affairs programmes.

The Frontline has gained nearly 70,000 viewers since its closest Monday competitor Tonight With Vincent Browne has temporarily been replaced with an entertainment show.

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here has taken over the Monday late evening spot on TV3 until the end of the month.

And while the jungle antics might be flavour of the month for some viewers, there has been a stampede of current affairs fans to RTE.

The Frontline attracted 303,800 viewers in early October, but the audience has being steadily increasing.

This week's episode of The Frontline, which didn't have to compete with Vincent Browne, drew 370,000 viewers.

PRAISE

"We are very pleased at the interest shown by audiences for a current affairs programme with a live audience which transmits at 10.35pm," an RTE spokesperson told the Herald.

Vincent Browne averaged 163,700 viewers and a 16.92pc share of the audience on its last two Monday shows, on October 24 and November 7.

While RTE has benefitted from Vincent Browne's absence, The Frontline's highest audience figures were recorded before I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here started.

Nearly half of Irish viewers tuned into the presidential debate on Monday, October 24.

The Frontline attracted 786,700 viewers on average that night, and had a 47.6pc share of the Irish audience.

Pat Kenny has received praise for the way he handled the debate on The Frontline.

However, candidate Sean Gallagher has lodged a complaint about a tweet which he read out on the live show.

hnews@herald.ie