Some 53% of US Millennials report having regularly consumed paid news content—in print, digital, or combined formats—in the past year, according to a recent report from The Media Insight Project.
Moreover, 40% of Millennials say they have paid for news products or services out of their own pocket in the past year.
Millennials over the age of 21 are about twice as likely as those 18-21 to pay for news personally; 44% of respondents age 30-34 pay for news out of their own pocket, compared with 23% of those 18-21 years old.
The report was based on data from a survey of 1,045 people age 18-34 living in the United States, as well as 10 in-person sessions with groups of Millennials.
More than one-third (38%) of respondents say they have regularly consumed paid print news products (newspapers, magazines, etc.) in the past year; 41% have consumed combined print/digital news products, and 21% from digital-only outlets.
Some 21% of respondents say they regularly pay for magazines themselves, and 15% say they regularly pay for print newspapers.
Not surprisingly, Millennials who believe keeping up with the news is extremely or very important are significantly more likely to personally pay for news compared with those who do not.
However, even among Millennials who believe keeping up with the news is important, just 50% pay for news products out of their own pockets.
Facebook, television, and search engines are the most commonly used sources to learn about topics—both for Millennials who believe keeping up with the news is important and for those who do not.
About the research: The report was based on data from a survey of 1,045 people age 18-34 living in the United States as well as 10 in-person sessions with groups of Millennials.
