Online News Just Knocked TV Off the Top—And It's Not What You'd Expect

Remember when flipping through TV channels was the go-to for catching up on news? Well, buckle up because the tables have officially turned!

According to the latest research from the U.K.’s Ofcom, online platforms have finally overtaken TV as the most popular way for adults to get their news—71% are now looking at their screens for updates, compared to TV’s 70%. Yep, that’s right. TV’s long reign, which started back in the 60s, has officially come to an end.

This change doesn’t just mean we’re streaming more cat videos (though, let’s be honest, we are). It’s a whole new ball game for how we consume news. Sure, TV was reliable, but online news offers a buffet of viewpoints. Sounds great, right? More opinions, more diversity. But here’s the kicker: with the rise of online platforms also comes the rise of misinformation. People are starting to feel a little... let’s say, uneasy about the accuracy of what they’re reading, especially with AI now in the mix, adding fuel to the fire.

TV's Retirement Party (Don't Worry, It’s Not Gone Yet)

It’s not shocking that newspapers have been struggling for decades (RIP to all the folded broadsheets). But TV? This is a biggie. Streaming and online media have been chipping away at its viewership for years, and now, news has officially jumped ship. Ofcom, the folks who ran the study, are even talking about regulating online news more to keep things in check. Why? Because while TV news has always been pretty trustworthy, online news? Well, let’s just say it’s kind of like playing the trust game... blindfolded.

Ofcom’s Yih-Choung Teh summed it up nicely, saying, “Television has dominated since the 60s and still holds people’s trust, but we’re seeing a generational shift. The internet is a different beast—people are worried about misinformation and deepfakes.” He’s not wrong. With so much information (and disinformation) flying around, it’s getting harder to separate fact from fiction.

The Irony of It All: Online News Is Eroding... Online News?

Here’s where things get a little head-scratching. Even as online news takes over, it’s not all smooth sailing. Traditional news websites are losing ground too, and guess who’s swooping in? Social media giants like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. In fact, 30% of people say they get their news from Facebook, which puts it on par with some of the biggest TV broadcasters. Oh, the irony! The very platforms that regulators love to blame for fake news are now where we’re all turning for updates.

And don’t sleep on YouTube—it saw a huge jump in news consumption, now being used by 19% of people for their daily dose of current events. TikTok is creeping in too, with 11% of adults now using the platform for news (which is a huge jump from just 1% in 2020). Not to mention, 30% of 12-15-year-olds say TikTok is their number one source for news. Yeah, we’re talking about the same app where we learn dance trends.

Should We Be Worried? (Short Answer: Yes)

Now, before we all go deep into TikTok news rabbit holes, let’s talk about trust. Sure, online news is convenient, but it’s also a bit of a wild west. Remember the last election? A whopping 60% of people reported seeing false or misleading info during that time. And with AI becoming more mainstream, deepfake content is becoming a real concern—57% of people are worried they’ll get duped, and 27% say they’ve already encountered some.

It’s not all bad news, though. Traditional media—TV, radio, and newspapers—are still hanging in there. But the real challenge moving forward will be making sure the news doesn’t just become a race to the bottom.