Ofcom report shows people turning to online and apps for news

New research from Ofcom shows online sites and apps are now as popular as TV news for the first time.

Since the 1960s TV has been the leading source for UK news but Ofcom’s study found that this has changed for the first time.

The way we access news, according to the report, shows that 71% of adults now do so online, compared to 70% for TV, marking a generational shift in the balance of news media. 

An increase in the use of social media for news is the main reason for the change. More than half of UK adults (52%) now use platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to access news, up from 47% in 2023. 

The reach of TV news has gradually declined in recent years and fell sharply from 75% to 70% last year.

Although it’s mostly younger people who access news online (88% of 16–24-year-olds), the number of older people doing so, is gradually increasing as they add online sources for their news.

Over half (54%) of people aged 55+ find news online – up from 45% in 2018 – with most going directly to news websites. Only 28% access news via social media, significantly lower than 16-24s at 82%.

Despite this trend towards online news sources, TV remains by far the leading platform for news among older age groups (85%), compared to only half of 16-24s (49%).

Online news sources – and social media platforms in particular – are rated much less favourably than traditional platforms such as TV and radio for accuracy, trust and impartiality. 

Ofcom is now setting the framework for its next review of public service media as it aims to support the availability of trusted and valued PSM news where people consume it.