Digital News Report 2026. Episode 5: The growing importance of online news video

Online news video consumption is rising globally, with the highest engagement rates in the Global South, where mobile-first access and social media dominance drive usage. While short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has gained significant traction, YouTube remains a critical destination for both short and long-form news, with a quarter of its users regularly consuming segments exceeding 20 minutes. Younger audiences increasingly bypass traditional terrestrial broadcast in favor of streaming and on-demand news via smart TV apps. This shift reflects a broader transition toward platform-based news discovery, where news organizations must strategically navigate diverse ecosystems to reach audiences effectively. Craig Robertson, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Reuters Institute and co-author of the Digital News Report 2026, highlights these trends as essential considerations for publishers balancing the demand for video with the need for sustainable, high-quality news products.