Americans still prefer watching the news over reading or listening to it, according to an August 2025 Pew Research Center survey.
Some 44% of U.S. adults say they prefer getting news by watching, 37% by reading, and 19% by listening — figures virtually unchanged since 2018 (47%, 34%, and 19%, respectively).
Key details on how Americans consume news:
- Among those who prefer watching news, 62% still favor television (cable, network, or local), while 34% prefer digital devices — including 12% who choose social media and 11% who prefer news websites or apps.
- Readers overwhelmingly go digital: 80% of those who prefer reading news do so online, led by news websites/apps (39%), social media (19%), and search engines (14%).
- Listeners are split: 52% prefer digital devices (with 21% favoring podcasts), 23% like TV best for audio news, and 20% still choose radio.
Generational divides remain stark:
- Adults 65 and older are the most TV-oriented: 57% prefer watching news, and prior Pew research shows they heavily rely on television.
- Adults under 30 are the only age group where reading is the top preference (45%), followed by watching (31%) and listening (23%).
Despite the growth of YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, and social-media influencers, the overall balance of watching, reading, and listening preferences has barely budged in seven years, and television remains the dominant platform for those who like to watch the news.