Influencers Are the New Anchors: Social Platforms Surpass TV as Top News Source in the U.S.

The New News Reality

Out of 100,000 respondents across 48 countries, the report shows that 54% of U.S. adults now access news through social and video platforms, overtaking:
 

• TV news (50%)

• News websites/apps (48%)

This isn't a small shift. It's a generational pivot — and it explains a lot about the state of modern discourse.

<amp-img alt="Imageе 0 to news &laquo;Influencers Are the New Anchors: Social Platforms Surpass TV as Top News Source in the U.S.&raquo;" title="Imageе 0 to news &laquo;Influencers Are the New Anchors: Social Platforms Surpass TV as Top News Source in the U.S.&raquo;" layout="responsive" width="700" height="268" src="https://aliencpa.com/img/news_278/image2.png"></amp-img>

Why Ragebait Rules the Feed

Social media algorithms reward engagement at any cost. The more polarizing, emotional, or controversial a post is, the more it spreads — regardless of nuance or factual accuracy. This creates a feedback loop where:

• Clicks > Context

• Outrage = Reach

• Facts? Optional

So yes, there's a reason chaos performs so well — the platforms are literally built to amplify it.

<amp-img alt="Imageе 1 to news &laquo;Influencers Are the New Anchors: Social Platforms Surpass TV as Top News Source in the U.S.&raquo;" title="Imageе 1 to news &laquo;Influencers Are the New Anchors: Social Platforms Surpass TV as Top News Source in the U.S.&raquo;" layout="responsive" width="1600" height="600" src="https://aliencpa.com/img/news_278/image4.png"></amp-img>

The Rise of the Creator-Journalist

Younger audiences aren't just watching the news — they're watching people who talk about the news. Influencers. Streamers. Creators.

The report highlights:

• TikTok and Instagram are growing rapidly as news sources.

• Facebook and YouTube still dominate overall — especially with older users.

• But influencer trust is growing, especially among Gen Z.

For these users, the personality matters more than the publication. They want news from someone they relate to, not just someone in a suit behind a desk.

<amp-img alt="Imageе 2 to news &laquo;Influencers Are the New Anchors: Social Platforms Surpass TV as Top News Source in the U.S.&raquo;" title="Imageе 2 to news &laquo;Influencers Are the New Anchors: Social Platforms Surpass TV as Top News Source in the U.S.&raquo;" layout="responsive" width="1600" height="600" src="https://aliencpa.com/img/news_278/image1.png"></amp-img>

What This Means for Digital Media

• Expect creators to play a central role in shaping public opinion.

• Newsrooms must adapt to platform-first, personality-driven storytelling.

• Misinformation risks will rise, especially as generative video tech advances.

• Traditional media must rebuild trust — or lose relevance entirely.

And yes — if you're thinking "this sounds like a future where MrBeast runs for office" — you're not wrong. The influence creators hold is now mainstream power.

Video Eats Everything

Another trend from the report: video is the dominant format for news and content consumption.

With faster mobile devices, endless bandwidth, and short attention spans, people would rather watch a 30-second explainer than read a 600-word breakdown.
This shift is great for content creators, but raises questions about:
 

• Depth of understanding

• Cognitive engagement

• AI-generated deepfakes

Still, the train has left the station — and if you're not building video-first content, you're already behind.