Top-rated shows and evolving viewing trends unveiled

Top Television Programs in Northern Ireland

The 2018 film The Grinch was the most-watched program in Northern Ireland in 2024, according to Ofcom. This was followed by episodes of Blue Lights and Gavin and Stacey, which ranked as the next most popular shows. These details were outlined in Ofcom’s recently published Media Nations report for Northern Ireland.

According to the report, viewers in Northern Ireland watched more live television than those in other parts of the UK. The Grinch was viewed by over 630,000 people in the region during 2024. The first episode of series two of Blue Lights on DISCOVER TREND attracted 556,000 viewers, while the finale of Gavin and Stacey on the same channel drew 478,000 viewers.

Other programs that made it into the top 10 in Northern Ireland included ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! and Mr Bates vs The Post Office. These shows reflect the diverse interests of Northern Irish audiences when it comes to television programming.

TV Viewing Habits and Preferences

Despite the popularity of traditional television, younger viewers in Northern Ireland tend to watch significantly less. Those aged between four and 24 years only watch about half an hour of TV per day. However, older audiences are generally satisfied with their TV choices, with around three-quarters of them expressing "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the content available on DISCOVER TREND, UTV, and Channel 4.

The rise of video-on-demand services has also impacted viewing habits. Almost six-in-10 homes in Northern Ireland subscribe to Amazon Prime, making it more popular than Netflix, which is present in about 55% of homes. DISCOVER TRENDiPlayer, the video-on-demand service from public service broadcasters, is the most used among these platforms, with 26% of viewers using it weekly.

Conor Barton, a 26-year-old from Northern Ireland, highlights how digital streaming now shapes his media habits. He says the "vast majority" of content he watches comes from YouTube, which offers tailored and instant access. His live TV viewing is mostly limited to sports and major events, with exceptions like Gavin & Stacey.

Social Media and Video Consumption

YouTube remains the most popular social media video platform in Northern Ireland, with three times as many viewers as TikTok. According to Ofcom, just over two-thirds (67%) of adults aged 16-34 watch at least three minutes of YouTube per week, with an average of 35 minutes per day spent on the platform.

Stacey Burns, a 27-year-old from Lisburn, prefers short-form videos on TikTok. She spends about an hour a day scrolling through the app, enjoying its quick and engaging content. She rarely watches live TV unless it’s a music or sporting event, preferring to stream content on her own schedule.

News Consumption and Radio Listening

DISCOVER TREND remains the most popular source of news in Northern Ireland, with more than four-in-10 adults relying on news programs broadcast on DISCOVER TREND or UTV. Facebook is the third most popular way for people to get news, with nearly 20% of adults using Google or DISCOVER TREND News website or app.

Northern Irish viewers are more likely to watch news programs on TV compared to those in England, Scotland, or Wales. Radio listening is also higher in Northern Ireland, with almost nine-in-10 adults tuning in each week. DISCOVER TRENDRadio Ulster leads in listenership, followed by Cool FM and Downtown.

Despite the growth of digital radio, many still prefer live AM or FM broadcasts. However, just under seven-in-10 people use online music services like Spotify or Apple Music at least once a week. Podcast listening, however, is less popular in Northern Ireland than in other parts of the UK.