how are millennials getting their news?

An Invoke Xperience Takeaways ReportAugust 2014

How are Millennials Getting Their News?

© Invoke Solutions - Confidential| Introduction to Invoke2

Why did we do this research? Understand Millennial attitudes towards news currently. Gather information about how Millennials currently get their news, specifically

touching on the role of social media. Gauge the impact of type of reporter/newscast on interest and perceptions of news

stories.

What did we do? Live 45-minute real-time Large-Scale Focus Group™ (153 participants). Coupled with Dialsmith’s Perception Analyzer® Online for online, moment-to-moment

“dial testing” of news clips (explained more in-depth on slide 15).

Who did we talk to? Millennial – 18-34 years Interest in current events/news Mix of political stances on a ten point scale - Liberal, Conservative and Neutral

In order to more naturally analyze Millennials, political stance was based on natural fallout – Liberal (43%), Neutral (45%) and Conservative (12%)

Methodology


How Engage Live Works

Participants• Take part from the

privacy of their homes or offices

• Answer anonymously, proving candid, unbiased responses

• Experience a fun and highly engaging process!

Observers• Watch sessions from any

location with an Internet connection

• Analyze live feedback using a dashboard with built-in analytical tools

• Discuss and react to results with rest of the decision-making team

Host• Controls the session and leads back-room discussion

about the results in real-time.

• Sends out questions and stimuli to participants

• Adds additional questions on the fly if necessary

Engage Live brings research to a higher level by creating an event that involves decision makers, researchers, and current and potential customers

3

• Tools and services for the collection of continuous, moment-to-moment feedback

• Develop, market and sell the Perception Analyzer® line of dial-based solutions

For offline (focus groups, live events)…

…and online (surveys, online focus groups)


Millennials claim that trust is the most important characteristic when it comes to the news, often using words such as “accurate,” “reliable,” “unbiased” and “trustworthy” when asked to name characteristics important to them. Additionally, 70% of Millennials rank trustworthiness as most important when presented with a list of characteristics.

When Millennials are presented with the different types of reporters/newscasts reporting on similar stories, the most trustworthy clip is the one reported most straightforwardly (CNN) while the entertaining reporting style of Jon Stewart and the op-ed style of Bill O’Reilly score lower on trust.

Interestingly, though, likability does not line up completely with trustworthiness as Jon Stewart is actually the most liked newscast among the three shown. This may suggest that The Daily Show is a well-liked program by Millennials but may not be regarded as “real” news as CNN.

Interestingly, social media remains a frequently checked news source for Millennials despite it ranking low among this group in terms of trust. Millennials are fully aware of the bias and unreliability of news sources in social media, but are still drawn to it for news because of its “speed-to-news,” constant updating and accessibility.

Facebook and Twitter are the most commonly used social networks for news amongst Millennials. Both offer Millennials the most up-to-date news as well as the ability to connect (like/follow) news networks/providers. Facebook also benefits from enabling Millennials to connect with friends/family and discuss topics, while Twitter appears to be perceived as a more unfiltered news source.

A few Millennials say that while they do find it important to stay up-to-date, the news can be hard to watch at times because of the overabundance of negative stories.

Research Highlights

6

MILLENIALS: NEWS ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS

Millennials overwhelmingly find it important to stay up-to-date on news

World and local news is important, finding trust and time hard

Millennials find it important to stay current on what’s happening globally and locally, but some note lacking complete trust in news reported. Others note not having time do so.

“I like to be aware of what's going on in the world, and especially locally in my own city.”

“I realize that it's important to know what's going on in the world around you, but I've come to realize that it's not always easy to trust the news you hear, so I often take news with a grain of salt.”

“I think you need to know what is going around in the area around you (but sometimes its hard w a busy schedule to stay completely up to date).”

A few say news takes a toll“I like to be informed, but watching the news can be very depressing because there are always so many negative things being reported.”

“News is important but there is just so much negativity sometimes that I have a hard time always watching.”

The Millennial Times

57% of Millennials check the news at least 3-5 times a day, with 19% saying they check the news at least 6 times per day.

August, 2014

How important is it for you to stay up-to-date on things happening in the news?

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96%

52%45%

4% 0% 0% 0%

96% of Millennials think its important to stay up-to-date on things happening in the news.


Millennials strongly value an unbiased news source they can trust

Words such as unbiased, accurate, reliable, trustworthy and up-to-date are often mentioned when Millennials are asked for the three most important things they look for in a news source.

Importance of news characteristics (first and last ranked)

Q) Off the top of your heard, please tell me the three most important things a new source must be in order for you to consider them as a place to get your news. (n=157)Q) Now I want to know what’s important to you when it comes to the news you use. Thinking about all the news sources you use (TV, radio, online, social media, newspaper, etc.), please rank the following words from 1-10 with 1 being the most important characteristic and 10 being least important.

When asked to rank specific characteristics, 70% rank trustworthiness as their number one news source characteristic.

Over half rank opinionated as their least important characteristic, followed by 20% ranking humor last.

Opinionated

Succinct

Humorous

Entertaining

Educational

Professional

Thorough/Detailed

Objective

Informative

Trustworthy

0%

1%

1%

1%

1%

2%

4%

5%

14%

70%

53%

13%

20%

8%

0%

1%

1%

3%

0%

0%

Rank 1

Rank 10

Most important news source characteristics for Millennials

9

MILLENIALS: NEWS SOURCES


Online websites and social media are most oft-checked sources for news

76% of Millennials check online websites at least once a day for their news and 69% check social media at least once daily.

Magazines and newspapers are least often checked sources by Millennials.

Q) Looking at the following list of ways one might get their news, please tell me how often you turn to these specific sources for your news. (n=157)

How often are Millennials checking specific news sources?

Magazines (such as Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report)

Newspaper

Cable television channels that are not news-specific (Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, etc.)

Radio

Cable television news-specific channels (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, etc.)

Through an app (on a smartphone or tablet)

News on a local channel (network news)

Social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)

Online websites

3%

4%

9%

14%

18%

23%

25%

43%

46%

3%

10%

12%

20%

19%

17%

28%

26%

30%

12%

13%

15%

17%

18%

13%

13%

14%

12%

19%

15%

12%

14%

13%

8%

13%

4%

7%

22%

16%

14%

8%

12%

6%

6%

1%

1%

30%

27%

17%

16%

12%

10%

8%

6%

3%

12%

15%

21%

10%

8%

22%

7%

5%

1%

Multiple times a day Daily A few times a week Once a week or so Once every couple weeks Less than once every couple weeks Never


While local news and online websites are most trusted, Millennials have less faith in social networks for news

28% of Millennials rank local news as their most trusted source of news and 21% rank online websites as most trusted.

41% rank social media as their least trusted source of news.

Q) text

News sources – ranked by trustworthiness

Non-news specific cable channels

Social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)

Magazines (such as Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report)

Radio

Newspaper

News-specific cable channels

Online websites

News on a local channel (network news)

1%

3%

6%

10%

16%

17%

21%

28%

28%

41%

6%

8%

3%

6%

4%

4%

Rank 1 Rank 8

Local news is often trusted because of accuracy, up-to-date news and/or a perceived

duty to the community.

“My local news has been trustworthy and accurate.”“Because the local news has a reputation to uphold to the

community.”“You’re not waiting for the paper they are on the scene and have

live witnesses and viewers who call in.”

Millennials often trust websites because they are updated frequently and/or can be fact-

checked easily.

“Online websites are always updating their content at a quick pace.”

“At least online, you know where you are getting your information and you can search to fact check.”

Social media is often not trusted because anyone can post on it and/or a fear of bias.

“People who spread news on social media aren’t always experts or have critical thinking to evaluate what they share. they can

also be overly biased.”


Social media brings speed and shareability, but several worry about bias

Q) Thinking about social media, what (if any) BENEFITS do you think there are to getting your news from social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)? (n=160)Q) What, if any, DRAWBACKS do you think there are to getting your news from social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)? (n= 157)

…but several have trouble trusting the source and/or bias.

“Since a lot of it is filtered through individuals, it falls into the danger of being too biased and often context can be lost after being rerouted, filtered, re-tweeted.”

“It will have so many opinions and people can alter the information, that you can't be so sure it's the same

or correct news.”

“You are getting news that has been filtered by friends or other news sources so that it may be biased or may

not present all sides of a situation. You often get comments by others along with the news.”

“Sometimes I think anyone could just go onto social media and post what ever they want without a

reliable source. I'm reluctant to believe the first article I read about a topic when I see it on social media.”

Many Millennials like the speed, shareability and accessibility of social

media…

“Quicker and all in one place. Not having to bounce between a TV or radio and can be accessed almost

anywhere.”

“You generally can find out if something has happened faster through friends and family posting

about it online.”

“If there really is a big topic of discussion, social media has the most viewpoints on one subject. It is great to

see other opinions while forming my own.”

“Fastest to break news also easy to access anytime and anywhere. (this can also be a down fall though. Very easy to fake real news if something goes viral).”


Facebook and Twitter are most commonly used social media by Millennials for getting news

92% of Millennials currently use Facebook, 89% use YouTube and 66% use Twitter.

When it comes to what social media they use for news, Facebook tops the list with 78% saying they currently use Facebook to get their news.

Though second in terms of usage, Twitter is the second most used social media for getting news with 44% of Millennials saying they use this source for news.

Q) Before we get into the research, please look at the list below and tell me all the social media you currently use. Please select all that apply. (n=157)Q) If you get your news at all from social media, which of the following do you use to get your news? Please select all that apply. (n-160)

Social media used/used for news

In addition to providing up-to-date news, Facebook benefits from a large amount of users/news, news pages for users to like

and/or the shared viewpoint of one’s network.

• “Friends with similar beliefs share stories I might find interesting.”

• “A lot of news stations have a Facebook account and will post news directly to their page.”

• “A great deal of people sign into Facebook daily so it is convenient to get the news from news stations on here.”

• “Many of my friends have similar views.”• “I chose Facebook because it seems as though almost

everyone in the world has a Facebook account LOL, it reaches the most people.”

MySpacereddit

VineTumblr

Google PlusPinterestLinkedIn

InstagramTwitter

YouTubeFacebook

0%

10%

1%

6%

9%

1%

14%

11%

44%

31%

78%

6%

13%

14%

22%

42%

47%

57%

58%

66%

89%

92%

Currently use Use for news

Twitter also has many news organizations to follow and Millennials think it offers up-to-date

and unfiltered news.

• “It's up-to-date, stories can be tweeted and broken immediately as it happens.”

• “I have a perception that Twitter is a popular platform for delivering news. Many reputable people and organizations have twitter accounts and use it to succinctly present information.”

• “You can follow major news channels on Twitter like ABC, NBC, etc. Even the CIA and the President has Twitter.”

• “Twitter helps news spread without censoring... sometimes that helps us hear about news that might otherwise never be known.”

14

REPORTING STYLES


Each respondent was randomly exposed to 1 of 3 different news clips, all reporting on the same story (the influx of immigrant children into the US). These clips each represented a distinct reporting style:

Jon Stewart (the Daily Show) – a comedic style with a Liberal slant Bill O’Reilly (The O’Reilly Report) – an op-ed piece with a Conservative slant CNN News Room - a straightforward, objective news piece

While viewing each clip, respondents were asked to use a mouse-controlled slider to provide continuous, moment-to-moment feedback. The slider gave respondents the ability to rate their interest level for what they were watching at that moment on a scale from 0 to 100 with 100 indicating “Extremely interested” and 0 indicating “Not at all interested”.

Here’s the Scoop…(see what I did there?)

Through Perception Analyzer Online, results from the moment-to-moment testing were seen and shared in the Live session in real-time, and also are available on the back-end to aid in reporting.

After watching each video, respondents were then asked questions to gather closed-end and open-end feedback.

Each video was shown to a similar breakout of liberals, neutrals and conservatives.

16

THE DAILY SHOW


Not surprisingly, Liberals are the group that responds most positively to the Daily Show clip

As they watched the Daily Show video, Millennials largely hovered around an interest level of 60 (in a 100-point scale), which shows a slightly above interest level in this particular clip.

Daily Show Key Measures(Top 2 box)

TotalLiberals(n=22)

Neutrals(n=24)

Conservatives(n=6) *

Likability 64% 86% 46% 50%

Trustworthiness 60% 73% 54% 33%

64% of Millennials like the Daily Show clip and 60% trust this anchor when it comes to reporting the news (top 2 box).

Liberals most like this clip (86% top 2 box) and find Jon Stewart trustworthy (73% top 2 box).

Liberals gradually increase interest as the story continues and reach a levels above 70 when Jon Stewart mocks the forms process for immigrants as these are children entering the US.

Conservatives drop slightly when the show focuses on those protesting sheltering immigrant children, but rise again when the show switches to a non-Daily Show anchor.*

* Please note small Conservative base size


Over half trust Jon Stewart, often because his knowledge shows through the humor

60% of Millennials trust Jon Stewart as an anchor/reporter (top 2 box).

74% of Liberals, 54% of Neutrals and 33% of Conservatives say this.*

67% of Conservatives do not trust Jon Stewart (bottom 2 box).

Q) How much would you say you trust this anchor/reporter when it comes to the news? (n=52)* Please note small Conservative base size

Trustworthiness (top 2 box) – Daily Show

Millennials often trust Jon Stewart often because, while he is funny, he also appears to

know his facts.

• “Just because he was not delivering news traditionally and seriously does not mean it isn't valid. However, he is presenting the news with heavily opinionated views.”

• “Because Jon Stewart has a smart and funny friendly vibe. and he has consistently showed himself to report the news to the best of his ability without putting on airs regarding his infallibility.”

• “He clearly does research on his own and is very knowledgeable.”

Those that do not trust him often say his first job is to entertain, not to be a news anchor.

• “He is a talk show host...his job is not to report news, but make satire in an effort to shed light on real issues and make people laugh.”

• “It seemed to entertaining, and he didn't seem serious enough. It was more like watching a comedian.”

• “It isn't news. He is an actor.”• “He started off as an MTV VJ!?! He is a known comedian?

Have no idea if he is reporting actual news or telling a joke.”

Top 2 I trust this anchor/re-

porter com-pletely

I trust this anchor/re-

porter some-what

I hardly trust this anchor/

reporter

I do not trust this anchor/

reporter at all

Bottom 2

60%

23%37% 31%

10%

40%

73%

32%41%

27%

0%

27%

54%

17%

38% 33%

13%

46%33%

17% 17%

33% 33%

67%

Total Liberal (22) Neutral (24) Conservative (6)*

19

CNN NEWSROOM


While CNN likability is lower for Millennials than the Daily Show, trustworthiness increases

Millennials appear to hover overall around an interest level of 60 (out of a scale of 100) throughout the CNN clip, which shows a slightly above average level of interest.

CNN Key Measures(Top 2 box)

TotalLiberals(n=22)

Neutrals(n=20)


Likability 48% 55% 35% 69%


Just under half of Millennials like the CNN clip (48%) and 84% find it trustworthy (top 2 box).

While Liberals and Conservatives show higher likability than Neutrals, but Liberals and Neutrals trust this anchor more than Conservatives.*

Conservatives spike slightly higher throughout the video than Liberals and Neutrals. Conservatives spike highest when the clip cuts to an interview with a protestor in Arizona.*



Many trust the CNN anchor/reporter because of their no-nonsense style

84% of Millennials trust the CNN anchor/reporter (top 2 box), which is the highest level of trust out of all three clips shown.

While 86%of Liberals and 86% of Neutrals trust these anchors/reporters, 67% of Conservatives trust her (top 2 box).


Trustworthiness (top 2 box) – CNN

Often, this trust is based on the straightforward reporting style of the anchor/reporter and/or an

existing trust in CNN as a network.

• “He didn't really seem to be giving his opinion on the matter just sticking to the facts.”

• “They were stating the facts.”• “She gave the news like it is.”• “She was reporting facts about the situation, even though I am

not familiar with her reporting style.”• “The information is from CNN, a reliable source.”• “Because it is being broadcast on CNN.”

A few distrust this anchor based on nothing more than an preexisting proclivity towards

distrusting the news.

• “I have no context for the anchors, and rather than implicitly trust, I distrust.”

• “I have a hard time trusting local news in general, but the news anchor was very boring.”

• “I honestly don't know why I distrust them. Most likely the way the news commentator was reacting.”


porter com-pletely


porter some-what


reporter


reporter at all

Bottom 2

84%

26%

58%

16%0%

16%

86%

27%

59%

14%0%

14%

86%

27%

59%

14%0%

14%

67%

17%

50%33%

0%

33%

Total Liberal (22) Neutral (22) Conservative (6)

22

O’REILLY FACTOR


Under half of Millennials like The O’Reilly Factor clip

Overall interest levels in the O’Reilly Factor clip hovers around an interest level of 40 (out of a scale of 100), which shows a slightly below average level of interest.

O’Reilly Factor Key Measures

(Top 2 box)Total

Liberals(n=24)

Neutrals(n=22)


Likability 42% 21% 59% 57%


While The O’Reilly Factor’s overall likability levels are at relative parity with CNN, only 21% of Liberals like this clip. 59% of Neutrals like this clip, however, which is higher than this group’s likability rating of CNN.

Overall likability ratings are lower than that of The Daily Show. Conservative likability for The O’Reilly Factor is at essentially parity with likability for The Daily Show and slightly lower than CNN.*

Liberals start to drop once Bill O’Reilly mentions the “liberal press” and continue to drop as the coverage switches to Rick Perry (R).

Conservatives somewhat mirror the below average interest levels as well and drop off sooner than the general base, when Bill O’Reilly begins talking about the border war in the media.*



While O’Reilly’s bias is apparent to most, believing the facts behind it drives one to trust or not

Overall, 43% of Millennials trust Bill O’Reilly (top 2 box), which is lower than the other 2 clips shown.

17% of Liberals trust Bill O’Reilly, which is significantly lower than their trust in both Jon Stewart and the CNN anchor/reporter.

57% of Neutrals trust Bill O’Reilly, which is lower than trust in the CNN anchor/reporter, but at parity with their trust in Jon Stewart.

86% of Conservatives trust Bill O’Reilly, which is higher than their trust in both CNN and Jon Stewart.


Trustworthiness (top 2 box) – O’Reilly Factor

Although several note a bias when it comes to Bill O’Reilly, several trust that the facts he

presents.

• “The story had factual information which I assume was obtained from some government sources.”

• “Again the report seemed a little one-sided but I believe that the points were valid and legitimate.”

• “O'Reilly doesn't just say stuff for not reason unlike other news people. he will take the time to research his information.”

• “The anchor is reporting the facts here in his own style. I trust him for the detailed information and the overall presentation.”

However, those that do not trust him often say they cannot get past the bias in his reporting.

• “Despite claiming to be fair he always seems biased to me and always is throwing his opinions in there.”

• “He was extremely biased and his reputation as an extremist does not jive me with my views.”

• “I believe that he has a very biased opinion on political matters.”

• “I have heard some of his previous stuff and find his credibility to be biased.”

• “I don't like him or trust him and he seems fake and I know this reporter is republican and reports the news in a biased way.”


porter com-pletely


porter some-what


reporter


reporter at all

Bottom 2

43%

13%

30%17%

41%

57%

17%4%

13% 13%

71%83%

57%

17%

39%26%

17%

43%

86%

29%

57%

0%

14% 14%

Total Liberal (24) Neutral (23) Conservative (7)

© Invoke Solutions - Confidential| Introduction to Invoke

“Thanks for looking through the results. I hope you find this data as interesting as I do. Please let me know if you have any further questions about Invoke or our services.”Wayne Goodreau

25

ABOUT INVOKE

Since 1999, Invoke has helped its clients better understand their customers’ perceptions of their brands, advertising and communications.

2013 Ogilvy Award for Excellence in Advertising

2013 “Hottest Companies in Boston” Award

Wayne GoodreauVice President, Research & Insights

If Wayne could only choose 5 movies to watch for the rest of his life, he would choose (in no particular order) Goodfellas, Caddyshack, Jaws, Empire Strikes Back and It’s a Wonderful Life.

Wayne GoodreauVP, Research & Insights+1 781 810 2700

[email protected]

how are millennials getting their news?

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uptodate news

news attitudes

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perceptions of news

unfiltered news source

unreliability of news