More Adults are Now Obtaining News Online rather than on Television

According to the most recent UK data, the shift away from traditional methods of news distribution continues.

UK regulator Ofcom claims 96% of UK adults watch, listen or read news in some form, while numbers issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) placed the local number at 95%.

In 2024, 71% of UK adults will consume news from internet sources, which is presently on par with television (70%).  In Australia, the two most popular news sources were online news websites or apps and free-to-air television.

"While older Australians were more likely to use FTA TV as their primary news source, individuals over the age of 45 are increasingly turning to internet news websites and applications.

"The fall in FTA TV as a primary source of news is most apparent in the 45-54 age group (27%, down from 34% in 2022).

"While the move towards online news websites as a main news source is greatest for those aged 65-74 (25% up from 19% in 2022)." In the UK, TV news watching fell from 75% in 2023 to 70% in 2024, however these figures include all TV, not just free-to-air.

Australia's free-to-air television system "remains the most common main source of news, used by a quarter of Australian adults (26% - stable compared to 2022), followed by online news websites or apps (23%)" .

Social media was the only news source that had an increase in adults picking it as their primary news source in 2023 (20% vs. 17% in 2022).

"Younger Australians are shifting away from online news websites and towards social media websites and apps, with just 12% of 18-24-year-olds using online news websites as their main source, down from 28% in 2022," according to the ACMA.

"Social media websites or apps were more likely to be the main source of news for those aged 18-24 (46%) and 25- 34 (38% up from 28% in 2022), higher than all other age groups."

According to Ofcom statistics, 16-24 year olds in the UK are more likely to use the internet and social media than conventional news channels, a trend that has accelerated since 2018. In addition, during the previous six years, the number of people aged 55 and up who read or watch online news has increased.

UK adults currently access an average of 6.9 news sources across all devices. The average number of internet sources grew from 3.8 in 2023 to 4.2.