Ofcom Survey: 71% of UK Residents Now Rely on Online News
London, UK: For the first time, online news consumption has surpassed traditional television in the UK, according to a recent survey conducted by Ofcom, the country’s broadcast regulator. The study reveals that 71% of respondents rely on online platforms for their news, while 70% turn to television.
The year-on-year data shows a notable increase in online news usage, rising from 68% to 71%, with social media also experiencing growth from 47% to 52%. Among younger audiences aged 16 to 24, a remarkable 82% reported using social media for news. The top online sources cited were Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, with Meta platforms being the second most popular news source, utilized by 40% of respondents.
Despite these shifts, the BBC remains the leading individual news source, with 68% of the population turning to it for information. However, actual engagement metrics indicate that BBC News reaches approximately 75% of the UK audience weekly.
In contrast, traditional news outlets have seen a decline in usage. The number of people accessing newspapers and their websites dropped from 39% to 34%, and TV news viewership fell from 75% to 70%. BBC News’s online presence also saw a decrease, going from 22% to 18%.
YouTube experienced the most significant growth as a news source, with 19% of respondents reporting usage, up from just 7% in 2023. This increase is attributed to a reclassification in the survey, where YouTube was previously included under “other online” sources.
While digital platforms are rising, traditional newspapers are facing challenges, especially among older demographics. For instance, the proportion of individuals over 55 reading print newspapers fell from 38% to 32% within a year. Despite the decline of TV news overall, BBC One remains a prominent news source, with 43% of respondents stating they turn to it for updates, significantly ahead of rivals ITV and Facebook, both at 30%.
