It is safe to say that Ireland punches above its weight when it comes to global entertainment. This is owed to several factors – Ireland is home to award-winning actors, directors, and social media talents. According to research by PwC, the Irish Entertainment & Media industry is set to grow at an annual rate of 3.62% by 2027 and reach over €6 billion. So, let’s see the main driving forces behind this growth and the main entertainment sources Irish people rely on.
A Cut Back on Streaming Costs
According to recent data, Irish households have cut back on streaming services, mainly due to the lack of content and pricey packages. Pure Telecom has made a survey in 2024 and found that the annual spend on video streaming services is down €200 million to €1.1 billion from 2023.
This contradicts other data that showcases video streaming has grown in popularity. About 96% of adults in the country are streaming video content, but a larger portion of people don’t pay for subscriptions – they use a password for a service they don’t pay for.
So, the conclusion here is that people see streaming services as a great source of entertainment for movies and shows, but they get more frugal about what they are willing to pay for. Expect the number of people watching Netflix, Amazon and co. to increase in 2025, regardless of the numbers showing a decrease in subscriptions.
Cinema Admissions in a Decline
One worrying statistic in Ireland is the decrease in cinema admissions in 2024. New data shows that the Irish no longer lead the way in Europe for watching movies in cinemas.
As such, Ireland had about 2.3 cinema admissions per capita in 2024, a big decrease from the 3.3 number in 2018 – which made the Irish people Europe’s most avid moviegoers. It was twice the EU average, and streaming services may be partially to blame for this decline.
Online Outlets Overtake TV News
Online news in Ireland has overtaken television news for the first time in history. The annual data by the ever-so-reliable Digital News Report Ireland has revealed that people are now even willing to pay for news content – especially young adults aged between 18-24 years.
Nearly 90% of respondents said they were interested in various degrees in news, which is higher than the European average of 85%.
Social Media and Content Creation
Any discussion about online entertainment in Ireland simply cannot go without a mention of social media. It remains a key part of digital entertainment in 2025, with Irish people utilising different platforms and services:
- Short-form video content: TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts are widely accepted by the Irish public.
- Live streaming: Interactive broadcasts across various channels have emerged as a top choice for entertainment.
A recent report by DataPortal shows that there are about 4.11 million active social media users in Ireland. Given that Ireland’s population counts about 5.3 million people, this means that about 78% of the people consume content via social media channels.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
Podcasts and audiobooks are inherently very popular in Ireland, but data and surveys are very contradictory. Some estimates say that just 40% of the population listens to podcasts for one hour on a weekly basis, but recent reports by the reliable Pure Telecom show that about 72% of the population spends 12 days a year listening to podcasts.
The average listener in Ireland spends about 48 minutes of podcast listening time per day, which is a very promising number for this entertainment sector. The demand for on-the-go entertainment has led to various forms of podcasts and audiobooks to flourish in the country:
- True crime and news podcasts
- Celebrity-hosted shows
- Audiobook platforms
Online Gambling
The most common form of gambling entertainment in Ireland is buying a lottery ticket or scratch card, with around 40% participating. Other forms, such as placing bets at bookmaker shops or participating in horse or dog racing, are also prevalent, albeit to a lesser extent.
The online gambling sector has also seen a shift towards more interactive and accessible platforms. This has been made possible by mobile apps and websites that allow users to play on the move, providing greater convenience and access to various types of gaming and extras. The most common ones are costless rewards casinos give new users upon registration. These allow users to try the site’s gaming content and functions without spending money. These extras are different, and finding the worthwhile ones is a bit tricky. So, you can refer to the list of no deposit bonuses from Slotozilla to find the top deals for the region.
As the sector continues to grow, players should be mindful of finding reputable platforms that offer useful bonuses and prioritise user security. With the introduction of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), players can expect a more secure and regulated environment for online gambling. The authority officially began operations in March 2025, and its licensing portal is now open for businesses.
Video Gaming
Video gaming is steadily on the rise in Ireland – year after year. Recent data shows that gaming is no longer confined to younger people – there is a big surge of people in their 50s and 60s enjoying video games on various devices.
What is also interesting is that there is almost a 50/50 split when it comes to genders – 52% of gamers in Ireland are male, while 48% are female.
Furthermore, let’s not forget competitive gaming, which has taken off in the country. Esports tournaments and multiplayer gaming attract big audiences, and some popular games and events include:
- MOBA Games
- Cloud Gaming Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, which makes high-end hardware redundant
- VR Gaming offers a more immersive and realistic experience
Overall, according to reliable data by Statista, in Ireland, the gaming market is expected to reach more than €700 million. Based on the same report, revenue in the gaming industry in Ireland will likely reach a 6.85% annual growth until 2029, which will result in a total volume of over €920 million.
Sports on the Rise
Based on numbers from 2024, sporting events are likely to dominate the most-watched programmes in Ireland in 2025. Last year, rugby dominated the list, with 10 games in the top 50. All Six Nations games were among the most viewed events, with football games also being high on the list – mainly due to the Euro 2024 tournament.
Even though there are no Euro or World Cup competitions in 2025, popular football leagues like the Premier League, Champions League, and other European leagues will undoubtedly be enjoyed by the Irish.
Let’s not forget the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025 as well. It takes place in England across five weeks, and the Ireland Women’s team will seek to do better than its record fourth-place finish in 2014.
Numerous Entertainment Channels
The entertainment industry in Ireland seems to be more diverse and engaging than ever. Regardless of whether people prefer online gambling, video streaming, esports, or social media content creation, people embrace new ways to stay amused and entertained in 2025.
As technology progresses, options become more diverse than ever, so we are very confident everyone in Ireland will find an entertainment sector that will match their preferences.
