Media Nations 2026

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.

Internet-based services

As people communicate seamlessly online and offline, we now need to invest our efforts into making digital communications work for everyone

Media use and attitudes

Ofcom wants to understand how adults and children in the UK use media.

Online safety

Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom's job is to make online services safer for the people who use them. We make sure companies have effective systems in place to protect users from harm

Phones and broadband

Ofcom is committed to a thriving telecoms sector, where companies can compete fairly and customers benefit from a broad range of services

Post

Ofcom's job is to make sure there is a universal postal service.

Spectrum

You can't see or feel radio spectrum, but we use it every day. Our job is to authorise and manage the use of spectrum in the UK.

TV, radio and on-demand

We make sure that broadcasters provide quality TV, radio and on-demand programmes that appeal to diverse audiences. We also have rules in place to protect viewers and listeners from harm.
Advice for businesses

How to make the most of communications services as a small business.

Advice for consumers

How to make the most of the services you use, and deal with problems.

Consultations and statements

Proposals we are consulting on and decisions we've made.

Enforcement

How we make sure companies follow our rules, to protect customers and promote competition.

Information for industry

Rules, guidance and other information for the industries we regulate.

Licence information

If you're looking to use certain radio equipment, or broadcast on TV or radio, you'll need a licence from Ofcom.

News and updates

Our latest news, features, views and information about our work.

Research, statistics and data

Evidence we gather to inform our work as a regulator.
Complaints
- Ofcom may be able to help you complain about or report issues relating to: phone, broadband and postal services; TV, radio and on-demand programmes; interference to wireless devices; or something you have seen on an online service, website or app.
- The types of complaint Ofcom deals with
- Get in touch by phone or post
Licences
- You need a licence from Ofcom if you’re looking to use certain radio equipment (like amateur or ships radio), or broadcast on TV or radio.
- Help with your spectrum licence
- Help with your broadcast licence

Cymraeg

Media use and attitudes Media habits (adults) Media habits (children) Research, statistics and data

Published: 29 July 2026

Ofcom’s annual Media Nations report is for industry, policymakers, academics and consumers. Our main objectives are to capture evolving consumer behaviours and key trends in the media sector, and to set out how audiences are served in the UK.

We draw on a range of evidence, and adopt a cross-platform perspective, including the TV, online video, radio and audio sectors.

We also publish separate Media Nations reports for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, covering specific themes and issues relevant to those nations.

UK Report

Media Nations 2026 - UK report

Key points

Broadcaster content still accounts for the majority of video watched in UK homes, despite the continued rise of streaming and video-sharing platforms
Weekly reach of broadcast TV has continued to decline – but more people are watching broadcaster video-on-demand (BVoD) than before. Overall, household take-up of subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) has remained relatively constant over the past few years.
The UK commercial TV and online video market exceeded £18bn in 2025, driven by the online segments but commercial broadcaster revenues declined
Broadcast radio has the highest reach of any media type in the UK, with just under nine in ten adults continuing to tune in to live radio each week
Overall revenues for the audio sector have continued to be resilient, with growth in both advertising (especially digital advertising) and subscription revenues

Nations reports

Media Nations 2026: Northern Ireland (PDF)

Media Nations 2026: Scotland (PDF)

Media Nations 2026: Wales (PDF)

Cyfryngau'r Genedl 2026: Cymru (PDF)

Other documents

Annex: Methodologies

Related content

Media Nations 2025

Ofcom’s annual Media Nations report is for industry, policymakers, academics and consumers. Our main objectives are to capture evolving consumer behaviours and key trends in the media sector, and to set out how audiences are served in the UK.

Media Nations 2024

Ofcom’s annual Media Nations report is a research report for industry, policymakers, academics and consumers. Our main objectives are to capture evolving consumer behaviours and key trends in the media sector, and to set out how audiences are served in the UK.

Media Nations 2023

Ofcom’s sixth annual Media Nations report reviews key trends in the media sector across the UK. The research includes broadcast TV and radio, as well as digital delivery including online video and audio streaming.

Back to top