In just one week, the average American consumes 42 hours of content. That’s six hours a day – a quarter of each day – spent reading, watching or listening to news and content. This only amplifies O&G’s mission: to live in a world with more good news!
News is consistent. As long as humans exist, so will news. However, the ways in which we receive, digest and engage with news content are constantly changing – impacting how stories are covered and how society responds to current events.
As a senior account executive specializing in media relations, I’m fascinated at how information delivery and intake has evolved over the past year and beyond. I did some research on how we’ve been “keeping up” in 2024 – here are my top 6 takeaways:
1. Digital devices dominate news consumption
It should come as no surprise: most U.S. adults are now using digital devices for their news. In 2024, more than half of U.S. adults preferred to access news on their smartphones, computers, and tablets, staying up to date via news websites and apps, followed by social media, search engines and podcasts.
Now, let’s break down the digital demographics: 86% of adults ages 18 to 29 are increasingly reliant on digital devices for news – the highest among any age group – and are significantly less likely to rely on TV or print. Meanwhile, only 27% of adults ages 65 and up prefer digital devices for news.
2. Social media ranks as the most popular daily news source among adults ages 18 to 44
From 2018 to 2024, social media has grown in popularity, whereas most other outlets (television and print) have shrunk. More than half of U.S. adults get their news from social media at least sometimes – and it isn’t just Gen-Z and millennials. Adults aged 45 to 65 were marginally more likely to choose social media over TV to keep themselves up to date on current events.
That said, trust in social media as a news source is low, with many Americans expressing skepticism about its credibility amid misinformation concerns. This emphasizes the importance of thought leadership, statistics, and building trust with audiences.
3. We’re still turning on the TV – just less often than we did previously
When it comes to older demographics, television remains a strong choice: 60% of those 65 and up prefer getting their news on TV, making it the most common platform for this group. Overall, 32% of U.S. adults prefer getting their news from television – a steady preference in recent years – with 33% reporting they get their news from TV often.
That said, the growing shift to online outlets could foreshadow a gradual decline in TV news. Primetime cable news network viewership has fallen, leading many outlets and reporters to build a stronger presence online (more on that, later!)
4. Radio and print audiences have declined as many turn to digital media and podcasts
Only 6% of U.S. adults prefer getting their news via radio, and just 4% prefer print publications. Similar to what we’ve been seeing with TV news networks, print media outlets are continuously developing their digital footprint, sharing stories on their websites, apps, and social handles as print news consumption reaches its lowest point. That said, the readership is still there. In December 2024, NYTimes.com was the most visited news website in the U.S.
Furthermore, radio personalities and outlets have also built their digital presence via podcasts, apps and online music.
There’s a valuable lesson here: print and radio audiences have dipped to record lows, but these outlets are adapting and growing by leveraging digital and social media.
5. Approximately 1 in 5 American adults say they regularly get news from “news influencers”
Influencers aren’t limited to promoting products and businesses – they can also help us stay on top of the news! The term “news influencer” refers to an individual who regularly posts about current events and civic issues on social media and has at least 100,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, or YouTube. News influencers can be independent content creators or journalists who are affiliated with a news organization.
Most news influencers are on multiple sites, with X being the most common.
Nearly 40% of U.S. adults under 30 get news from influencers. Among Americans who follow news influencers, 65% say they’ve helped them better understand current events and civic issues.
6. Most Americans still see value in local news and local journalists
Most Americans believe local journalists and news media report the news accurately. Even as the landscape changes, 41% of Americans agree that local media is important to the well-being of their communities. As Americans shift to digital for local news, most daily newspapers readers access their papers online instead of the print version.
And while most Americans say local journalists should remain neutral, about 30% say media should advocate for change – a view that’s especially common among younger adults; “the future.”
The news never stops – but the ways in which we stay informed tell a story of the evolution of the human experience. The key? Adapt, engage, and build trust with audiences – and that’s where we help.