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Television has fallen out of favour as the main source of news in the UK for the first time since the 1960s as Britons increasingly turn to online news and social media apps, according to research by the media regulator.
Ofcom said on Tuesday that television news viewership continues to plummet, with online platforms like Facebook, YouTube and TikTok and digital versions of broadcasters now being used slightly more widely as a news source.
In its annual study of audience habits, the watchdog said 71 percent of adults get their news online, compared with 70 percent via TV — a finding it described as “marking a generational shift in the balance of news media.”
TV news reach has fallen from 75 per cent last year. Ofcom found that more than four in five people aged 16 to 24 get their news from social media.
The report highlights pressure on traditional linear broadcasters such as the BBC, Sky and Channel 4 to accelerate their move to digital platforms, including their own streaming sites as well as social media apps such as TikTok.
Broadcasting executives are investing in creating TV and audio content specifically for such digital channels; the BBC, for example, is focusing on developing its services such as iPlayer and Sounds. But they also need to cater for the shrinking number of older people who are traditionally TV viewers.
Ofcom said it was setting out the framework for a new review of public service media, which would initially analyse how effectively broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4 were delivering for audiences, including online, before looking at options for regulatory or legislative changes to support the sector.
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s group director, strategy and research, said TV had “dominated people’s news habits since the 1960s and it still commands really high trust. But we are seeing a generational shift to online news”.
TV remains the top platform for news viewing among older age groups, being the primary source of information for 85 percent of people over 55, compared to just half of those aged 16 to 24.
Four of the top 10 most popular news sources across all age groups include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter. With TikTok taking all five top spots among 16- to 24-year-olds.
BBC One remains the most popular individual news source, with ITV1 second, while news across all BBC platforms still reaches two-thirds of UK adults. Channel 4 drops out of the top 10 for the first time.
However, broadcast news is still rated much higher for accuracy, reliability, and objectivity than online news sources.
