Online overtakes TV as main news source in latest Ofcom report
For the first time, online platforms have overtaken television as the primary source of news in the UK, according to Ofcom’s latest News Consumption Survey published on Tuesday.
The report sheds light on how both adults and teens in the UK are shifting their news consumption habits across various platforms, including TV, radio, print, and online, which encompasses social media, search engines, and news aggregators.
Conducted across two waves, from 6th November – 3rd December 2023 and 26th February – 23rd March 2024, the survey reveals that while the vast majority of UK adults (96%) still consume news in some form, the way they access it is rapidly evolving.
In 2024, online news consumption has risen significantly, with 71% of UK adults stating they use online platforms to access news—equal to the percentage of those who still rely on TV and on-demand services (70%). A major driver of this shift is social media, which is used by over half (52%) of UK adults as a key news source.
Television, which once dominated as the most-used platform for news, has seen a notable decline, with usage dropping from 75% in 2023 to 70% in 2024. Despite this fall, traditional TV news remains popular, with BARB data indicating that half (51%) of UK adults still tune in to news broadcasts on the main public service broadcasters (PSBs) each week.
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The generational divide is particularly stark when it comes to news consumption. Younger audiences, especially 16-24-year-olds, overwhelmingly favour online news sources, with 88% of this age group consuming news online. Social media plays a pivotal role here, with 82% of young adults using it for news. In contrast, only 49% of this demographic rely on TV for their news intake.
Meanwhile, newspapers continue to see a decline, despite last year’s speculation that the downward trend might have slowed. Both print and digital newspaper formats have experienced further drops in consumption since 2023. However, radio has remained stable as a news source over recent years.
This shift signals the increasing importance of digital platforms, particularly among younger generations, as the UK’s media landscape continues to evolve.
