News consumption in the UK

13 August 2020

The aim of this series of reports is to inform an understanding of news consumption across the UK, and within each UK nation.

The findings are published as part of our range of market research publications that examine people’s consumption of, and attitudes towards, different types of content on different platforms.

2020 report

Key research findings: TV remains most popular platform for news. Fewer people are now getting news from social media as figures return to 2018 levels. The numbers have dipped from 49% in 2019 to 45% in 2020. Levels of trust, impartiality and accuracy in news from social media has decreased this year. Less people are likely to share and engage with news related content from social media platforms such as Facebook this year.

News consumption in the UK: 2020 report (PDF, 6.7 MB)

News consumption in the UK: overview of 2020 findings (PDF, 297.5 KB)

Adults news consumption in the UK: 2020 data tables (XLSX, 10.5 MB)

Adults news consumption in the UK: 2020 questionnaire (PDF, 530.7 KB)

Adults news consumption in the UK: 2020 raw data (CSV, 39.2 MB)

Adults news consumption in the UK: 2020 technical report (PDF, 189.5 KB)

Children's news consumption in the UK: 2020 data tables (XLSX, 3.2 MB)

Children's news consumption in the UK: 2020 questionnaire (PDF, 384.0 KB)

Children's news consumption in the UK: 2020 raw data (CSV, 2.8 MB)

Children's news consumption in the UK: 2020 technical report (PDF, 158.2 KB)

Nations Reports

News Consumption Survey - Scotland (PDF, 951.7 KB)

News Consumption Survey - Northern Ireland (PDF, 891.1 KB)

News Consumption Survey - Wales (PDF, 816.5 KB)

See also...

  • Online Nation

    Online Nation is an annual report that looks at what people are doing online, how they are served by online content providers and platforms, and their attitudes to and experiences of using the internet.

  • Open data

    10 June 2021

    Ofcom’s open data is a mix of data from or about the companies we regulate in the communications sector, and the citizens and consumers who use them.

  • Understanding people's online habits, behaviour and attitudes

    09 June 2021

    Understanding people’s online habits, behaviours and attitudes is a vital part of our statutory duties.

  • About media literacy

    Media literacy enables people to have the skills, knowledge and understanding to make full use of the opportunities presented by both traditional and new communications services. Media literacy also helps people to manage content and communications, and protect themselves and their families from the potential risks associated with using these services.

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