Virgin Media’s news slot gets big Love Island boost

Ratings soar as programme follows reality show

Maura Higgins, Irish Love island participant Picture: Shutterstock

Virgin Media Television’s late news slot has enjoyed a large bump in ratings thanks to the ‘Love Island effect’.

The station’s 10pm news slot, which is aired after the reality dating show, recorded its highest average viewership of 111,000 last Thursday, according to figures produced by TAM-Nielsen.

The latest season of Love Island, starring Irish contestants Yewande Biala and Maura Higgins, kicked off on Virgin Media Two on June 3.

During the three-week ...