Social Media Surpasses TV: How Americans Get Their News in 2025

In an unprecedented shift in news consumption, social media has overtaken television as the primary source of news for Americans. This dramatic change reflects evolving habits driven by younger audiences, video content, and mobile devices. The latest findings from the Reuters Institute’s 2025 Digital News Report reveal deep insights into how news is consumed today, the challenges traditional media face, and what the future of news might look like in an increasingly digital world.

The Changing Landscape of News Consumption: A Summary

For the first time ever, social media has become the top source of news for U.S. adults, with 54% now relying on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for their daily updates. This surpasses TV, which 50% of adults still use, and traditional news websites or apps at 48%. This milestone highlights a significant transformation in the way Americans engage with current events.

Younger audiences, particularly those aged 18 to 24, are leading this shift, favoring video and audio content over text. In fact, weekly online news video consumption in the U.S. surged from 55% in 2021 to 72% in 2025, underscoring the growing dominance of visual storytelling on social apps. The trend is mirrored globally, with countries like the U.K. and France experiencing similar, though slower, changes.

Social media’s appeal also extends to demographic groups often missed by traditional outlets—men, politically right-leaning individuals, and those skeptical of mainstream journalism. Platforms such as TikTok have seen notable growth outside the U.S., especially in countries like Thailand where nearly half of users get their news from TikTok.

Meanwhile, traditional publishers face mounting pressure to adapt. Their struggle lies in transforming content to suit personality-driven, video-first formats without losing their established web audiences. Podcasts have also risen in prominence, rivaling print newspapers and live radio, but tend to focus more on commentary than hard news.

Smartphones remain the most important tool for news access, with 57% of Americans under 35 checking their phones first thing in the morning for updates. The report, covering 48 countries, explores how culture, technology, and politics shape news consumption globally, but the U.S. trend towards social video news consumption is particularly pronounced.

What Undercode Says: The New Age of News Consumption

The 2025 Digital News Report reveals a clear paradigm shift driven by technology and changing audience preferences. Social media’s rise as the primary news source marks a critical juncture for both consumers and media companies. Younger demographics’ strong preference for video content and social platforms is rewriting the rules of engagement.

This trend poses significant challenges for traditional media. Their reliance on established formats like TV and websites is undercut by the immediacy, personalization, and entertainment value that social platforms provide. The personality-driven nature of TikTok and YouTube content has reshaped news delivery into more digestible, relatable snippets, contrasting sharply with traditional journalism’s tone.

Moreover, social media’s dominance among politically right-leaning audiences and those distrustful of mainstream news highlights an ongoing polarization in information sources. This fragmentation could further complicate efforts to maintain a shared, fact-based public discourse.

For media companies, the future lies in mastering video storytelling and embracing platforms that attract younger users without cannibalizing existing traffic. Experimenting with hybrid models that blend personality-driven content with credible reporting could bridge this gap. Additionally, mobile-first strategies are essential—smartphones are now the news hubs for the majority of younger adults.

The rise of news podcasts reflects another dimension: people want news with personality and perspective, not just facts. This suggests a growing appetite for commentary and analysis alongside traditional reporting.

Looking ahead, we expect social media and video platforms to deepen their hold on news consumption. However, questions remain about the impact on news quality, trust, and the diversity of viewpoints. Media literacy and innovation will be crucial in navigating this evolving landscape.

Fact Checker Results ✅❌

The report’s data aligns with multiple independent studies confirming social media’s dominance as a news source among younger demographics. However, the political skew noted towards right-leaning users needs further exploration, as it varies regionally. Traditional media’s struggle with adapting to video-first formats is widely acknowledged, emphasizing the need for innovation.

Prediction 🔮

Social media’s reign as the leading news source will continue growing, especially through video-centric platforms. Traditional outlets that fail to evolve their content strategy and mobile engagement risk losing relevance. Meanwhile, the increasing polarization of news sources may intensify, making media literacy and diversified news access more critical than ever. Expect a future where news is more interactive, visual, and tailored to niche audiences, redefining how society stays informed.