In a significant shift in the UK media landscape, BBC One has experienced an unprecedented decline in its news audience, marking a turning point in how Britons consume information. For the first time since the inception of television news in the 1950s, online platforms have surpassed traditional TV as the primary source of news for UK residents.
According to a recent Ofcom report, BBC One's viewership for its flagship news programs, including News at Ten, News at Six, and lunchtime bulletins, has decreased substantially. The percentage of surveyed individuals who watch BBC One for news has dropped from 49% in 2023 to 43% in 2024, representing the most significant decline since the annual survey began.
This shift is not limited to the BBC. ITV, another major UK broadcaster, has also seen a reduction in its news audience, falling from 34% to 30% over the same period. The overall reach of TV news has experienced a sharp decline, dropping from 75% to 70% in the past year.
Conversely, online news consumption has risen, with 71% of adults now accessing news through digital platforms. Social media plays a crucial role in this trend, with Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) ranking among the top 10 most popular news sources in the UK. Notably, Channel 4 has fallen out of this top 10 list for the first time.
The generational divide in news consumption is particularly striking. Among young people aged 16-24, only 49% use television for news access. Even more telling, 12% of 12 to 15-year-olds cite TikTok as their primary news source. YouTube has surpassed the BBC News online platform in popularity among younger demographics.
In response to these changes, Ofcom has announced a review of public service media (PSM). Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom's group director of strategy and research, stated:
"Television has dominated people's news habits since the 60s, and it still commands really high trust. But we're witnessing a generational shift to online news, which is often seen as less reliable – together with growing fears about misinformation and deep fake content."
The BBC has acknowledged the changing landscape while emphasizing its continued relevance. A spokesperson noted that the BBC remains the most trusted news source for UK adults and highlighted the organization's efforts to adapt to digital platforms.
This shift in news consumption patterns reflects broader changes in media technology and audience preferences. The BBC, founded in 1922, has been at the forefront of news broadcasting for decades. However, the rise of social media platforms like Facebook (2004), YouTube (2005), and TikTok (2017) has dramatically altered the media ecosystem.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, the future of traditional news bulletins remains uncertain. Fran Unsworth, the BBC's former head of news, predicted in 2020 that scheduled bulletins might become obsolete within a decade. This forecast aligns with the current trends observed in Ofcom's report.
The challenge for established broadcasters and public service media providers is to adapt to these changing habits while maintaining the quality and trustworthiness that have been hallmarks of traditional news sources. As the UK enters this new era of news consumption, the balance between innovation and reliability will be crucial in shaping the future of public information dissemination.