Social and video platforms now lead as news sources in the UK. Trust in news has dropped, and younger audiences are shifting away from traditional outlets. Publishers must rethink distribution and engagement strategies.
UK news publishers are confronting a major shift as online video networks surpass both TV and news websites or apps as the leading source of news for British audiences. This change, highlighted in the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2026, signals a critical moment for editorial and audience teams focused on distribution, engagement, and monetization.
According to the report, the UK is now among 45 markets where online video has overtaken TV for news consumption. Globally, 54 percent of people use social or video platforms for news, but in the UK, this trend is especially pronounced among those under 35, who show a clear preference for these platforms over traditional sources. Facebook remains the top platform for news use in the UK, with 21 percent of respondents citing it-an increase of four percentage points from last year. In contrast, X has declined to 10 percent, down two points. These shifts come as the UK government prepares to implement a social media ban for under-16s, expected in early 2027, raising new questions for publishers’ social strategies.
Trust in news continues to erode, with UK figures dropping five percentage points to just 30 percent-well below the global average of 37 percent. Public broadcasters such as the BBC (59 percent), ITV (57 percent), and Channel 4 (57 percent) still lead in trust ratings, even as the overall trend reflects wider societal unease and political turbulence. Despite recent controversies and leadership changes, the BBC remains the most trusted news brand in the country.
AI chatbots have yet to gain traction as news sources in the UK. Only four percent of Britons report using AI chatbots for news weekly, and trust in news from these tools stands at just six percent, compared to 20 percent globally. This gap highlights ongoing skepticism toward AI-generated news content among UK audiences.
For publishers, these findings underscore the urgency of adapting newsroom strategies to meet audiences where they are-especially as younger users gravitate toward creators and influencers on video platforms. The challenge is compounded by persistent reluctance to pay for news and deepening distrust, making it essential to focus on high-quality journalism and innovative distribution models. For a broader look at how audience preferences are evolving, see this analysis of the latest Digital News Report 2026 findings.
