We’re taking a look at how Americans consume news today, and how interests differ by generation.
According to our recent MediaPulse survey, nearly all Americans (94%) consume news media (and some of us consume more than others). The Baby Boomer generation consumes the most with 75% consuming news media once a day or more often. On the other hand, only 24% of Gen Z consume news media once a day or more often.
52% of Americans still get their news through traditional television (cable, satellite, broadcast TV). The way that Americans get their news varies greatly by generation as well.
Gen X (55%) and Baby Boomers (72%) are especially still using traditional television to get their news. Millennials and Gen Z on the other hand are primarily using news websites/apps and social media to get their news. Millennials and Gen Z are also much more likely to hear news from friends/family/co-workers.
Local news (66%), weather (59%), and world news (51%) are the three most popular types of news for Americans.
Gen Z again shows some interesting differences from other generations. One of these areas is Politics. Only 14% of Gen Z said that political news interests them (compared to 42% of US Adults). Entertainment is another area where Gen Z bucked the trend with 56% being interested. In fact, Entertainment news is the most popular type of news for Gen Z.
When it comes to paying subscriptions for news, only 30% of US Adults pay for access to a news source.
Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to pay for a subscription service than older generations are.
ABC News (38%) and Fox News (38%) are the most regularly used news sources for Americans.
The next most regularly used news sources are Local news stations (35%), CBS News (31%), and CNN (31%). The news sources that are used more often are Fox News (24%), Local news station (21%), ABC News (18%), and CNN (16%).
Of those US Adults that say they get their news via social media, Facebook (73%) is by far the most popular source.
The next most popular sources are YouTube (47%), Instagram (38%), and Twitter (30%).
Across a wide variety of opinions that we asked US Adults about the news, the most agreed to statement was “I wish the news would stick to facts and be less opinionated” with 77% of US Adults agreeing with the statement.
The second most agree to statement was “Advertisements should not be allowed to be disguised as news” with 73% of US Adults agreeing.
Methodology
This CARAVAN survey was conducted by Big Village among a sample of 1,003 adults 18 years of age and older. The online omnibus study is conducted three times a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. This survey was live on October 28-30, 2022.
Learn more about our Online CARAVAN® omnibus surveys here. Contact us at caravaninfo@big-village.com for more information.