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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPaid streaming is mainstream in Ireland, but the market is not simply a race between global subscription apps. Viewers also use broadcaster players such as RTÉ Player, and they reach services through smart TVs, connected boxes and other devices. The available figures show a growing video-on-demand market and strong use of Irish public-service streaming—but they do not establish one overall winner.
How widespread is paid streaming in Ireland?
In 2025, 71% of internet users aged 16 and over in Ireland said they used paid film, series or sports streaming services, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). That was two percentage points higher than in 2024. The measure covers paid services, not free online streaming or on-demand services.
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Use was higher among internet users in households with children: 82% said they bought or subscribed to streaming services in 2025, up five percentage points from 2024, the CSO reported. This is a household-group result, not a separate estimate of children’s own subscriptions.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A different survey found that 76% of adults aged 16 and over subscribed to any paid streaming service. That figure comes from Ipsos B&A’s Techscape 2025 survey of 1,005 adults, conducted in June 2025. Its population and question differ from the CSO measure, so the two percentages should not be treated as competing estimates or a year-on-year comparison.
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- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
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- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
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- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
How big is Ireland’s video-on-demand market?
PwC Ireland estimates that video-on-demand (VOD) generated €334 million in Ireland in 2025. Its breakdown shows subscription services as the largest category by far:
| VOD category | Ireland revenue estimate for 2025 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription VOD (SVOD) | €280 million | Video access paid for through a subscription |
| Advertising VOD (AVOD) | €30 million | On-demand video supported by advertising |
| Transactional VOD (TVOD) | €25 million | On-demand video purchased or rented by transaction |
These are PwC’s market estimates, not audited receipts reported by individual platforms. The category figures add to €335 million, while PwC gives the total as €334 million; the published values appear rounded, so neither the total nor a component should be “corrected” by recalculation. PwC forecasts a €428 million Irish VOD market in 2030, with a 5.1% compound annual growth rate from 2025 through 2030. That is a forecast for the market, not a claim that every provider will grow at that rate or that households will keep adding subscriptions.
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Why broadcaster players still matter
International subscription services are only part of the viewing picture. RTÉ reported 157 million streams on RTÉ Player in 2025, 10% more than the previous year, while time spent watching increased 17%. The broadcaster said viewing interest included national events, Irish and international series, and box sets. These are RTÉ’s own service figures; they are not an independent comparison with global platforms.
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Public-service broadcasters have a distinct role alongside commercial services: their remit includes programming connected to Irish culture, language, history, heritage, society and sport. That helps explain why a broadcaster player can serve needs that are different from choosing a subscription catalogue. Policy proposals and legislation can change, however; a policy description should not be mistaken for a statement about current legal requirements.
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Ipsos B&A’s Techscape survey found that 46% of respondents used catch-up TV services. The survey category combines examples of services and devices in its wording, so it is not an RTÉ Player-specific usage figure.
How are people watching: apps, TVs and connected devices?
ComReg describes services such as Netflix, Apple TV, Disney, Amazon Prime, NOW, RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Player as available through smart TVs, internet-enabled set-top boxes or other devices. The choice of service is therefore not tied to a single kind of screen or streaming box: availability depends on the device and its supported apps.
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- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Traditional broadcaster television remains part of the mix, too. ComReg cites average broadcaster-TV viewing on a TV set of 2 hours 30 minutes per day in 2024, compared with 2 hours 58 minutes in 2020. It says 84% of daily viewing was live and 16% time-shifted. Those figures describe broadcaster-TV viewing, not all video watched on phones, computers or streaming services.
How to choose a streaming service in Ireland
There is no evidence-based single ranking that identifies the best service for every Irish viewer. Compare options against your household’s needs, and check current Irish terms directly before signing up: prices, catalogues, sports rights and device support can change.
Best Value
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Price and plan: Check the current Republic of Ireland price, plan limits and whether the price is introductory or recurring.
- Catalogue fit: Look for the specific films, series or genres your household wants, rather than relying on a platform’s overall size or reputation.
- Live sport and events: Confirm that the particular competition or event you want is available in Ireland and whether access requires a separate plan or bundle.
- Irish and public-service programming: Consider whether local news, events, culture or broadcaster programmes are important alongside international entertainment.
- Device compatibility: Check that the service’s app works on the TV, phone or connected box you already use. A separate streaming player may help if a TV lacks a supported app, but it is not a universal requirement.
- Bundles, advertising and cancellation: Check whether access is standalone or included with a bundle, whether the plan includes ads, and how cancellation works.
Ipsos B&A’s 2025 survey offers a snapshot of reported subscriptions, not platform subscriber counts or market shares: 64% of adults aged 16 and over reported subscribing to Netflix, 33% to Amazon Prime, 28% to Disney+, and 10% each to Apple TV and Paramount+. Because respondents could subscribe to more than one service, these percentages do not add up to a market split. They also do not establish which service is best for an individual household.
What the figures do—and do not—show
Ireland’s streaming environment is expanding and varied: paid streaming is common, subscription video accounts for most of PwC’s estimated VOD revenue, and RTÉ reports record use of its player. The figures describe different things—surveyed use, estimated market revenue and a broadcaster’s own streams—and cannot be combined into a cross-service ranking. They show a shift in how people access entertainment, not a single platform taking the whole market.
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