RTE's Home Alone themed Late Late Toy Show beamed into homes across Ireland and the world with average TV viewing for Friday night's show now at over 1.6 million.
That includes catch-up viewing on Saturday and Sunday and the repeat broadcast. Across the weekend, RTE Player broke their Toy Show record with 622,000 streams in Ireland and abroad, including Irish Sign Language streams. Audiences from 139 countries including streams from all 50 states in America and all eight Australian territories tuned - 21% of live streams came from outside of Ireland.
Delighted host Patrick Kielty said: "I can't believe it's over for another year but I'm still buzzing from a magical Toy Show last Friday night."
"As always that's down to the amazing kids who knocked it out of the park with their performances, their toy demos and bringing their unique personalities, and to you at home for watching and sharing the love on the night."
"The incredible amount our audience watching at home gave to the Toy Show Appeal this year is mind blowing and the difference it will make to kids and their families up, down and across Ireland is truly humbling. Thank you so much for making it a night to remember."
Audiences showed their generosity in enormous numbers through their donations to the Toy Show Appeal, raising €4.9million this year. Children's charities across Ireland will see the benefit of these funds in the year ahead with the total figure raised since its inception in 2020 now reaching beyond €26million.
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said: "The huge generosity of The Late Late Toy Show viewers will transform young lives in every county. On behalf of the Community Foundation and our voluntary, community and charitable partners, I want to sincerely thank everyone who took part in this truly magical television moment."
"As the money continues to flow in, we will now begin the work of turning it into positive action to meet essential needs, address health and wellbeing, as well as, promoting play and creativity. An application process for groups will open in January and full details will be placed on our website www.communityfoundation.ie"
Alan Tyler, Head of Entertainment, Comedy and Music said: "The Late Late Toy show is a truly unique programme. Where else in the world will you find toys, kids, puppies, stunts, performances, books, costume changes, Christmas, Patrick Kielty and live TV all rolled into one?"
"We are delighted that the hard work and dedication shown by everyone involved in Toy Show has once again connected so well with audiences of all ages both at home and abroad. We are also humbled and hugely grateful to the Irish public who gave so generously to Toy Show appeal, directly affecting the lives of Children and families across the country. We will be back next year to do it all again!"
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