Local farmer beats Eastenders viewing figures on UTV's Rare Breed

Rare Breed - A Farming Year returned last night with the first programme attracting an average audience of 213,000 viewers and a 30% share.

The episode peaked with 231,000 viewers.

The first episode of the fourth series beat EastEnders which was broadcast at the same time on BBC NI, achieving an average audience of 184,000 viewers.

The programme featured Toomebridge farmer James, who was seen selling tractors to buyers in Thailand.

Michael Wilson, Managing Director of UTV Television, commented: “I am delighted to welcome the Rare Breed farmers back to our screens. Once again the ratings prove how loved the series is by our audience.

“For a locally produced programme now in its fourth series, to achieve a higher rating than a network soap is a huge feat and one that we are very proud off.”

The next episode of the fly on the wall series on Monday, January 18 at 8pm looks back at the month of February in 2015.

During the episode, James Alexander reacts to a suspect TB result amongst his herd of cattle.

Meanwhile, with lambing season in full swing, Alison McCrabbe and her husband Wade from Raphoe tend to their second batch of sheep on their farm in Raphoe.

Produced for UTV by local independent production company Crawford-McCann, the series is once again narrated by Mark McFadden. Sponsored by Irwin’s Bakery and shot in High Definition, Rare Breed – A Farming Year continues on Monday 18th January 2016 at 8pm.