Older Canadians remain the most trusting and satisfied consumers of traditional news media, while younger adults show growing dissatisfaction and a clear shift toward online and social media platforms, according to a new federal survey.
The findings are detailed in Public Opinion Research Tracker: Wave 4, a report based on a national survey conducted by Ipsos for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The study is part of the regulator’s ongoing effort to track Canadians’ attitudes toward broadcasting, online, and telecommunications services.
According to the report, Canadians aged 65 and older were the most likely to trust television and print news sources and to express satisfaction with the quality and depth of information provided by Canadian media.
“Canadians 65 and over were more likely to be satisfied with the quality of information and depth of analysis offered by Canadian news media, and to trust the information provided by Canadian news media to be accurate and impartial,” the report said.
In contrast, Canadians aged 34 and under were the least likely to say they were satisfied with news and information content overall, reflecting a generational divide in how news is consumed and perceived.
Television remains the single most common source of news in Canada, cited by 49 per cent of respondents. Online media and radio followed, each used by 36 per cent of Canadians. About 28 per cent said they rely on online social media video platforms for news and information.
Age played a major role in platform choice. Canadians aged 55 and older were far more likely to rely on television, radio, and print media. Younger Canadians, particularly those 34 and under, said their primary sources of news were online social media platforms, including both video and audio, followed by music streaming services and other social media channels.
Language differences were also evident. Francophone respondents were less likely than English-speaking Canadians to use online video or music streaming services for news, and more likely to rely on television and radio.
Overall satisfaction levels were mixed. About 52 per cent of Canadians said they were satisfied with the quality of news and information they received from video and audio sources such as television and radio.
The survey was conducted online and by telephone between Feb. 27 and March 23, 2025, and included 2,367 Canadians aged 18 and older.
The findings echo concerns raised in a separate report published in May 2025, which warned of an aging audience and an uncertain future for traditional television. That report highlighted challenges facing Quebec-based TV5QC, where the average viewer age was 62, compared with 56 for traditional television overall.
“In light of the sharp decline in traditional television viewing among young people, the aging audience profile poses significant challenges for the channel’s future,” the authors wrote.
The report also noted that the long-term outlook for traditional television is uncertain as fewer Canadians tune in, particularly among younger age groups.
Canadians aged 18 to 34 are increasingly replacing traditional television with subscription-based video-on-demand services, the report said. Between 2013 and 2023, the share of households relying solely on traditional television fell sharply from 65 per cent to 15 per cent.
During the same period, households subscribing to both traditional television and video-on-demand services rose from 21 per cent to 51 per cent. Meanwhile, households using only video-on-demand services increased from just 4 per cent to 27 per cent.
Together, the reports point to a rapidly changing media landscape in Canada, with traditional broadcasters facing mounting pressure to adapt as younger audiences turn away from conventional TV in favor of digital platforms.
