Television, once the undisputed leader in UK news consumption since the 1960s, is now facing a significant challenge from online platforms. According to Ofcom’s latest annual study, the number of adults accessing news online has risen to 71%, surpassing TV’s 70% for the first time.
Now, over half of UK adults (52%) now turn to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for their news, up from 47% just last year. This shift reflects a broader trend where younger audiences are increasingly favouring online sources. Among 16-24-year-olds, 88% access news online, compared to just 49% of their older counterparts.
Social media platforms now dominate the news landscape for younger audiences. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X are among the top ten news sources, with TikTok also making significant inroads. YouTube, in particular, has matched the Sky News Channel in popularity and surpassed both the BBC News Channel and BBC News Online.
Television, while still a major source of news, has seen its reach decline sharply, dropping from 75% to 70% in the past year alone. For older generations, TV remains the primary news source, with 85% of people aged 55 and over relying on it for their news. In contrast, only 28% of this age group use social media for news, a stark contrast to the 82% of 16-24-year-olds who do.
Public service broadcasters (PSBs) such as the BBC continue to play a crucial role in news delivery. BBC One remains the most popular individual news source, and the BBC’s various platforms together reach 68% of UK adults. ITV1 holds the second spot for individual news sources. However, the usage of these channels has been on the decline, with Channel 4 falling out of the top 10 for the first time.
Despite the growing reliance on online and social media news sources, these platforms are frequently viewed as less reliable compared to traditional media. Issues of accuracy, trust, and impartiality remain major concerns, with audiences still valuing the trusted and accurate news provided by PSBs. Nearly half of respondents in the Ofcom study rated “trusted and accurate UK news” as one of the top three attributes of public service media.
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom Group Director of Strategy and Research, commented on the shift:
“Television has dominated people’s news habits since the sixties, and it still commands high trust. But we are witnessing a generational shift to online news, which is often seen as less reliable. This shift, coupled with growing fears about misinformation and deep fake content, underscores the need to ensure high-quality news for the next generation. Ofcom is initiating a review of public service media to strengthen the UK’s democracy and public debate.”
As the media landscape continues to evolve, the challenge will be balancing the convenience and accessibility of online news with the reliability and trustworthiness of traditional media.
To read Ofcom’s full study, head to the link below:
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