Younger viewers shun Fox News, older viewers revere it

January 21, 2011 By Molly McHugh

New numbers show many Americans becoming more and more disillusioned with Fox News, but it still gets older viewers' votes.

A recent survey conducted by Public Policy Polling revealed some interesting items about TV viewers yesterday. After studying 632 voters (and accounting for a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percent), PPP found that the trust Americans once felt in Fox News has seriously waned: According to the results, it’s the most distrusted news station among most age groups. According to the study, “a year ago a plurality of Americans said they trusted Fox News,” and while conservatives haven’t budged all that much, “moderates and liberals” have overwhelmingly cut ties with the network.

But what’s remarkable about the study is what it says about how trust varies between age demographics. Nearly 60 percent of viewers between the ages of 18 and 29 trust PBS News, compared to just over 30-percent of retirees. In fact, it looks like members of the older generation are generally suspect of news broadcasting – with the exception of Fox News. Almost 50 percent of those aged 65 and older have faith in the controversial station.

And, as The Boston Globe points out, seeing as older people watch more TV, Fox News gets a big ratings boost from this viewership. Still, we all know traditional cable television is being challenged. About three years ago, a Pew study found that despite the ever-growing popularity of the Internet, people were more inclined to turn to the TV screen for news. But now, a study from earlier this month reveals that Internet is quickly gaining over television news broadcasts, which saw a sharp decline. According to the survey, “Television remains the most widely used source for national and international news — 66 percent of Americans say it is their main source of news — but that is down from 74 percent three years ago and 82 percent as recently as 2002.”

Showing 6 comments

Kevin Koehler at 6:50am 7th June 2011 One of the problems that seniors have with FOX (almost news) is that places such as McDonalds, and the Gas Marts have that station on 24/7. Where do Seniors meet in the morning? -McDonalds. Those that are retired are pulled into their BS by being in places that benefit from playing that station.
steveymacjr at 12:53am 23rd January 2011 This article should have pointed out that PPP, the group that did this survey, is a Democratic polling organization. As such anything they do should be taken with a grain of salt. I mean, really, 60% of people 18-29 years old trust PBS news? First, how many 18-29 year olds watch PBS. Second, PBS? The same network that had Bill Moyers on it for all those years... please...
1. Caleb J. DeVera at 10:26am 31st January 2011 Thanks for being the voice of reason...PBS is sort of obscure for this survey. haha. I personally don't think I have EVER used PBS to get my news
aious at 8:32pm 22nd January 2011 The fact that anyone takes what they see/hear on FoxNews as fact shows how gullible and idiotic they are in general You can't watch it for 5-10 minutes without them either lying, changing charts, or just doing something else idiotic to push their right-wing agenda
1. Caleb J. DeVera at 10:28am 31st January 2011 the fact of the matter is, ALL mainstream news organizations have an agenda these days. Pinpointing Fox as THE bad guy is just as ignorant as believing everything they say. What people need to do is utilize MULTIPLE news sources and then use their brains to piece together what is fact and what is not.
pixelpusher220 at 4:57pm 21st January 2011 the 'television' component probably needs to be split into 'broadcast', 'cable' and Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert type segments to so a better split. I haven't watched network news in ages but do watch MSNBC and Stewart regularly.