GB News has surged to become the UK’s fourth largest news brand, according to the newly released Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025, marking a major milestone for the self-styled “People’s Channel”.
The report, widely regarded as the most authoritative global study on news consumption, found that GB News has jumped from eighth to fourth place based on weekly reach across radio, TV and print — overtaking Channel 4 News, Channel 5 News, and CNN in the UK. Online, GBNews.com is now tied as the sixth most-visited UK news website, on par with The Telegraph, and ranked ahead of The Sun, The Times, ITV News, Mirror Online, Yahoo News, and CNN.
The annual report, produced by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, is based on YouGov polling of nearly 100,000 respondents across 48 countries. It highlights rapidly evolving media consumption trends, including a global pivot toward social and video platforms and the increasing dominance of influencer-led news.
Reacting to the findings, Mick Booker, GB News’ Editorial Director, said: “This report is a must-read for anyone interested in how the consumption of news is changing across the globe. To see GB News and GBNews.com recording such positive growth is a reflection of the tireless efforts of our award-winning team to provide the very best journalism.”
“As Reuters’ report lays bare, our unstoppable growth is continuing, and soaring numbers of people are turning to the People’s Channel because they value the fearless journalism our team relentlessly provides.”
The report also found that GB News is more trusted than both the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror, highlighting its increasing credibility among viewers even as debates around impartiality and broadcasting standards continue.
Overall, trust in news globally remains low but stable at around 40%, down sharply from earlier highs of 60%, with wide variations by country. Finland maintains the highest trust level at 69%. In the UK, news avoidance has risen to 46%, with many audiences turning away from traditional outlets altogether.
The Reuters report points to a global shift in news consumption habits, particularly among younger users. In major markets such as the US and Australia, social media is now the primary news source, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter) reaching over 10% of users weekly. This has accelerated the fragmentation of audiences, with many turning to independent creators and influencers for news content.
Creators such as Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson now command audiences that rival — and sometimes surpass — traditional news organisations, particularly among under-35s.
Video continues to capture attention: two-thirds of global respondents watch short-form news videos weekly, and about half watch longer news content, primarily through third-party platforms rather than publishers’ own websites.
Artificial intelligence is beginning to enter the news ecosystem, with 15% of under-25s using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT or Gemini weekly for news. However, public trust in AI-generated news remains low, especially for coverage of “hard” topics like politics and conflict.
Meanwhile, subscription growth has stalled, with only 17% of users in advanced markets paying for online news. Publishers are responding by experimenting with bundled services, events, philanthropic funding, AI integration, and diversified revenue streams to stay afloat.
GB News’ rise underscores the changing dynamics of media trust, reach, and influence in the UK. Its success coincides with the broader decline in traditional broadcast viewership and a growing demand for alternative voices in the public discourse.
As the news industry continues to grapple with misinformation, shifting audience expectations and economic pressures, the 2025 Reuters Digital News Report paints a picture of a sector in rapid transformation — and GB News is positioning itself as a major player in this evolving media landscape.
