Since 2004, Pew Research Center has issued an annual report on key audience and economic indicators for a variety of sectors within the U.S. news media industry. These data speak to the shifting ways in which Americans seek out news and information, how news organizations get their revenue, and the resources available to American journalists as they seek to inform the public about important events of the day. The press is sometimes called the fourth branch of government, but in the U.S., it’s also very much a business – one whose ability to serve the public is dependent on its ability to attract eyeballs and dollars.

Over the years, the Center’s approach to these indicators has evolved along with the industry, carefully considering the metrics, sectors and format in which the data appear. Instead of a single summary report, our approach is to roll out a series of fact sheets showcasing the most important current and historical data points for each sector – in an easy-to-digest format – a few at a time. (State of the News Media reports from 2004-2018 are archived as PDFs and available here.)

fact sheet | Nov 10, 2023

Digital News Fact Sheet

In the U.S., roughly nine-in-ten adults (93%) get at least some news online (either via mobile or desktop), and the online space has become a host for the digital homes of both legacy news outlets and new, “born on the web” news outlets.

fact sheet | Aug 1, 2023

Hispanic and Black News Media Fact Sheet

News media made by and for Black and Hispanic Americans – the two largest racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. – have been a consistent part of the country’s news landscape. Explore statistics on the Hispanic- and Black-oriented news industry.

fact sheet | Sep 14, 2023

Cable News Fact Sheet

In 2022, both prime-time and daytime cable news audiences increased for Fox News but decreased for CNN, MSNBC and Newsmax.

fact sheet | Sep 14, 2023

Network News Fact Sheet

Financially, advertiser expenditures for the news programs of the three major networks have declined substantially since 2020.


fact sheet | Sep 14, 2023

Local TV News Fact Sheet

Local TV companies generated more revenue in 2022 than in 2021, consistent with a cyclical pattern in which advertising revenue rises in election years and falls in non-election years.

fact sheet | Nov 10, 2023

Newspapers Fact Sheet

Newspapers are a critical part of the American news landscape, but they have been hard hit as more and more Americans consume news digitally.

fact sheet | Jun 15, 2023

Audio and Podcasting Fact Sheet

The audio news sector in the U.S. is split by modes of delivery: traditional terrestrial (AM/FM) radio and digital formats such as online radio and podcasting.

fact sheet | Aug 1, 2023

Public Broadcasting Fact Sheet

Hundreds of local and regional radio and television stations comprise the U.S. public media system.

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All State of the News Media (Project) Publications

fact sheet | Nov 15, 2023

News Platform Fact Sheet

The transition of the news industry away from print, television and radio into digital spaces has caused huge disruptions in the traditional news industry, especially the print news industry. Today, an overwhelming majority of Americans get news at least sometimes from digital devices.

fact sheet | Nov 10, 2023

Digital News Fact Sheet

In the U.S., roughly nine-in-ten adults (93%) get at least some news online (either via mobile or desktop), and the online space has become a host for the digital homes of both legacy news outlets and new, “born on the web” news outlets.

fact sheet | Nov 10, 2023

Newspapers Fact Sheet

Newspapers are a critical part of the American news landscape, but they have been hard hit as more and more Americans consume news digitally.

fact sheet | Sep 14, 2023

Local TV News Fact Sheet

Local TV companies generated more revenue in 2022 than in 2021, consistent with a cyclical pattern in which advertising revenue rises in election years and falls in non-election years.

fact sheet | Sep 14, 2023

Cable News Fact Sheet

In 2022, both prime-time and daytime cable news audiences increased for Fox News but decreased for CNN, MSNBC and Newsmax.

fact sheet | Sep 14, 2023

Network News Fact Sheet

Financially, advertiser expenditures for the news programs of the three major networks have declined substantially since 2020.

fact sheet | Aug 1, 2023

Hispanic and Black News Media Fact Sheet

News media made by and for Black and Hispanic Americans – the two largest racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. – have been a consistent part of the country’s news landscape. Explore statistics on the Hispanic- and Black-oriented news industry.

fact sheet | Aug 1, 2023

Public Broadcasting Fact Sheet

Hundreds of local and regional radio and television stations comprise the U.S. public media system.

fact sheet | Jun 15, 2023

Audio and Podcasting Fact Sheet

The audio news sector in the U.S. is split by modes of delivery: traditional terrestrial (AM/FM) radio and digital formats such as online radio and podcasting.

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