The TG4 website has been globally available since 2003 and is to undergo some changes in the coming months. The site’s webmaster, Peadar Ó Flatharta tells us that the site has garnered a dedicated following, growing slowly but surely in popularity. “In 2006 we had about 40,000 – 60,000 streams a month and this figure has since grown to about a quarter of a million”
The online TG4 Player underwent a revamp in March where the streaming quality was improved and more additional features are planned. Currently audiences around the world can view most of the Irish programming (with the exception of sports footage) but there are gaps in the online player schedule where TG4’s international programmes feature. It has been decided that these gaps will be filled in future with archive programmes from the TG4 vaults.
Peadar tells IFTN that the site will also offer viewers choices as to the subtitles they want for each programme. Currently viewers watch programmes in Irish with English subtitles but it is hoped that this can be changed so that individuals can choose to have no subtitles come up if they so wish. These upcoming changes are expected to be introduced in the new year.
The traffic figures may come as a surprise to some people in that viewers are based in countries such as France, Japan and Germany: Of the 200,000 programmes viewed online 49% of the viewers were in Ireland followed by 20% in the U.S. and 14% in the U.K. Canada has a 3% audience share and the remaining 14% is shared out between France, Germany, Japan and Australia. Asked what the most popular streams are Peadar answers instantly “Traditional music programmes, without a doubt. ‘Ros na Rún’ is very popular in the States but for most countries all our music programmes are very popular.”
