For the very first time, social media has surpassed television as the primary source for news among Americans. Whether this is beneficial… depends on the individual’s perspective.
This finding is one of the key highlights from the Reuters Institute’s 2025 Digital News Report, which was published recently. The report indicates that 54% of U.S. adults now claim to get their news from social media and video services, in contrast to 50% who depend on television and 48% who turn to traditional news sites or applications. It marks the first instance of social media leading the charts.
This trend goes beyond mere statistics. The report points out that a considerable number of these social-driven news consumers belong to demographics that conventional media have found challenging to engage: younger viewers, males, users with right-leaning political views, and individuals with little trust in mainstream journalism.
While the shift in the U.S. is particularly pronounced, the report mentions that similar (although slower) trends are evident in other politically divided nations such as the U.K. and France.
### Video is the New News
Another significant takeaway from the report: individuals are not just obtaining news from social platforms; they are consuming it through video. Weekly viewership of online news videos in the U.S. rose from 55% in 2021 to 72% in 2025.
A large portion of this activity is taking place on social applications, with younger demographics at the forefront. Among global users aged 18 to 24, video and audio formats are now favored over textual news. Platforms like TikTok are experiencing substantial growth in news consumption outside the U.S., with Thailand leading at 49% of users accessing news through TikTok.
As for traditional media companies? The report states that they are still facing challenges in modifying their tone and style for video-centric, personality-driven platforms like TikTok and YouTube, especially without detracting from their own web traffic.
### The Phone Remains Undefeated
It may come as no surprise that smartphones continue to play a crucial role in how Americans engage with news. Among U.S. participants under 35, 57% report that their smartphone is the initial place they check for news each morning.
Regarding podcasts? In the U.S., news podcasts are now equally consumed as printed newspapers or live radio broadcasts, although much of this listening heavily skews towards personality-driven commentary rather than straightforward news reporting.
The comprehensive report encompasses 48 nations and addresses a variety of topics from social influencers to AI presenters. It provides intriguing insights into the diverse cultural differences (and commonalities) in global news consumption.
However, the narrative in the U.S. is clear: social media, particularly video content, has taken precedence in how individuals obtain their news.
