Media Technology Monitor’s latest report finds that Canadians remain deeply engaged with current events, as their paths to finding news continue to branch out across both traditional and digital sources.
Staying Current: Canadians and the News looks at how audiences are accessing day-to-day reporting and breaking stories.
It finds that seven in 10 Canadians read online news, while more than half tune in to Canadian television specialty news channels.
Legacy outlets maintain a strong footprint online. Nearly two-thirds of online news readers access content directly through broadcaster websites or mobile apps, turning to established brands like CBC/Radio-Canada, CTV, TVA Nouvelles, and CNN.
The research highlights a pronounced generational split in news discovery, with social media acting as the primary engine for younger demographics. More than half of young adults aged 18 – 34 reported following breaking stories through social platforms, turning to independent content creators, individual journalists, and personal networks for real-time updates.
Regardless of where or how audiences tune in, serious reporting remains the primary draw for Canadian news consumers. Hard news represented the most consumed category overall, with three-quarters of online Canadians reporting that they regularly follow local, international, or political news.
