Beezer! Channel 4's Derry Girls breaks Northern Ireland ratings record

The show also proved a huge hit across the UK

Channel 4
Author: Paulo RossPublished 22nd Feb 2018
Last updated 22nd Feb 2018

Derry Girls has become Northern Ireland's most-watched TV show in 16 years.

The comedy, set in the early nineties during The Troubles, averaged with 519k and 64.2% share of the audience. It reached 54% of the Northern Irish audience, including 65% of 16-34 year old viewers.

Across the UK, viewing figures reveal that the first series of Derry Girls was watched by an average of 2.5 million viewers, making it Channel 4's biggest comedy since 2004.

Lisa McGee, the creator and writer, said: “Derry Girls is a project very dear to my heart and I’m delighted that so many people have joined us for the ride. It’s particularly special to me that the Northern Irish audience has supported it in the way that they have – I’ve been blown away by the response to the series and am so excited that we get to do it all again with the second series.”

Fiona McDermott, Head of Comedy said: “We are beyond thrilled that not only is Derry Girls our biggest comedy launch series since 2004, but that it is the biggest series ever to air in Northern Ireland! This level of popularity is proof positive that Lisa’s crafted not only a proper gem of a comedy but also one which is run through with authenticity and relatability.”

Last month Channel 4 announced that it had been commissioned for a second series.

Across the UK, Derry girls was watched by an average of 2.5 million viewers per episode.