TLDR;
- Older South Koreans now rely more on YouTube than TV for news.
- Over 60% of people in their 50s get news from YouTube, reversing typical age trends.
- South Korea’s media scene is deeply platform-driven, with direct visits to news sites among the lowest globally.
- Political divides and generational shifts are driving a fragmented and polarized news environment.
YouTube has now surpassed traditional television as the primary news source for older South Koreans, marking a striking shift in how information is consumed in one of the world’s most digitally connected societies.
Shift in Habits Among Older Koreans
According to findings from the 2025 Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute, older demographics, particularly those in their 50s and above, are turning to YouTube more than ever before to stay informed. The report, cited by the Korea Press Foundation, shows that 61% of South Koreans in their 50s and 53% of those aged 60 and older rely on the platform for news, compared to only 32% of people in their 30s and 44% in their 20s.
This trend defies conventional assumptions that younger generations are the primary drivers of digital transformation. Instead, it reveals a generational reversal in media habits, where older adults are not only adapting to but actively preferring video-based platforms over legacy outlets like TV or newspapers.
Low Trust in News
South Korea’s media landscape has long been shaped by portal-dominated access, with platforms like Naver and Daum serving as the main gateways to news content. These platforms continue to have overwhelming influence, with Naver being used by 65% of news consumers and Daum by 38%. But despite this, direct access to news websites remains strikingly low, with only 6% of users visiting news publishers directly, a rate tied with Thailand as the lowest in the world.
The dominance of digital intermediaries, now including YouTube, has fragmented the relationship between publishers and readers, making it harder for media organizations to build loyalty or trust. The result is a news environment marked by political division and skepticism. The latest data shows South Korea’s trust in news lags behind global averages, sitting at just 31% compared to the international benchmark of 40%.
Political Polarization Fuels Platform Choice
The move to YouTube among older Koreans is not just about convenience or format. It also reflects deeper political dynamics. Conservatives are significantly more likely to consume news via YouTube, with 63% doing so compared to just 43% of progressives. This 20-point gap is the highest reported among all surveyed countries and reveals how ideological divides are shaping platform preference. While conservative viewership on YouTube continues to grow, progressive engagement has declined sharply, widening the gap even further.
This polarization is unfolding against a backdrop of political uncertainty in South Korea, following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. With national politics in flux and public institutions under scrutiny, the media has become a key arena for competing narratives.
YouTube’s Growth Adds Fuel to the Fire
This shift comes as YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary with record-breaking growth. In the first quarter of 2025, the platform generated $8.93 billion in ad revenue and supported over 270 million paid subscriptions across its services.
South Korea’s high smartphone penetration and fast internet infrastructure have made the country an ideal environment for YouTube’s expansion, especially as the platform integrates more AI-driven and subscription-based features.
