What is the most popular TV news in the UK? GB News, Sky News, and BBC News compared
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When people ask what the most popular TV news channel in the UK is, the answer isn’t simple. It depends on how you measure ‘popular.’ Is it about who has the most people watching at any given moment? Who reaches the most unique viewers in a week? Or who keeps people glued to the screen the longest? The truth is, GB News now leads in average viewership, but the BBC News Channel still wins when it comes to total reach. Sky News, once the undisputed king of commercial news, has slipped into second place. Here’s what’s really happening.
GB News is now the top commercial news channel by average viewers
Since its launch in June 2021, GB News has been a disruptor. Backed by investors like Lachlan Murdoch and Sir Paul Marshall, it positioned itself as ‘The People’s Channel’-a direct challenge to what it called the ‘metropolitan elite’ media. By December 2025, it officially became Britain’s number one commercial news channel based on average viewership, according to BARB data. It pulled in 80,000 viewers on average across the year, beating Sky News’ 74,000. That’s a 9.5% lead.
The real spike came in the mornings. GB News Breakfast averaged 103,000 viewers on weekdays, far ahead of Sky News’ 54,500 and BBC News Channel’s 29,700. On Sundays, The Camilla Tominey Show hit 147,500 viewers, outperforming both BBC and Sky. Programs like Dewbs & Co and Patrick Christys Tonight also regularly drew over 120,000 viewers. GB News outperformed Sky News on 223 out of 350 days in 2025. That’s more than 60% of the year.
BBC News Channel still reaches far more people overall
But here’s the twist: GB News doesn’t come close to the BBC in total weekly reach. In 2025, the BBC News Channel reached 4.3 million unique viewers each week. Sky News reached 4.1 million. GB News? Just 2.1 million. That’s less than half. So while GB News has a smaller audience, that audience watches longer and more consistently. The average time viewed per person was 94 hours for GB News in 2025, compared to 86 hours for Sky News and 72 hours for BBC News Channel. This isn’t about mass appeal-it’s about loyalty.
The BBC’s strength comes from its public service role. It’s on Freeview, Sky, Virgin, and now streaming platforms. It’s the default choice for breaking news, especially among older viewers and those who still rely on traditional TV. Its reach isn’t just about channel placement-it’s about trust. Even people who don’t always agree with its reporting still turn to it when something major happens.
Sky News is holding on, but losing ground
Sky News used to be the dominant force in commercial news since 1989. Now, it’s fighting to stay relevant. It still has the highest total weekly reach among commercial channels, but its average viewership dropped from 82,000 in 2024 to 74,000 in 2025. Its digital numbers still lead the pack-3.4 million monthly app users-but its linear TV audience is shrinking. It’s losing viewers to GB News in key time slots, especially mornings and evenings.
Sky News still has strong international reporting and a reputation for fast, reliable updates. But its editorial tone-seen by many as centrist or establishment-doesn’t resonate as strongly with viewers who feel ignored by mainstream media. That’s exactly the gap GB News filled.
Digital dominance belongs to the BBC
When you look beyond TV screens, the BBC’s scale is staggering. In 2025, its main social media accounts had a combined following of 133.1 million across YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Sky News had 41.5 million. GB News? Just 9.3 million. That’s a massive gap.
But GB News is growing fastest online. In 2025, it hit 2.6 billion video views and streams-up from 800 million in 2024. TikTok alone accounted for 1.82 billion of those views, a 180% jump from the year before. Facebook views doubled from 32 million to 98 million. Its YouTube channel hit 58 million monthly views. That’s not enough to match the BBC, but it’s enough to show that GB News has found a powerful way to reach younger, politically engaged audiences who don’t watch linear TV.
Who’s watching-and why?
The audience split is clear. GB News viewers are mostly over 55. Brandwatch’s November 2025 analysis showed 58% positive sentiment among that group, compared to just 22% among 18-34 year-olds. Many say they switched because they felt BBC and Sky ignored working-class concerns, immigration, or local issues. One Reddit user wrote: ‘They finally cover the things no one else will touch.’
But critics call it propaganda. Ofcom upheld 17 formal complaints against GB News in 2025 for breaches of impartiality rules-more than double Sky News’ 9 and far above the BBC’s 5. Accusations of spreading conspiracy theories and lacking editorial standards are common in online forums. The channel’s hiring of Nigel Farage as Chief Political Commentator in January 2025 only deepened the divide.
Sky News still has broad appeal among professionals, older viewers, and those who want balanced reporting. The BBC, despite criticism from all sides, remains the most trusted source for breaking news across all age groups. But its younger audience is drifting away-68% of UK adults now get their news primarily from digital sources, according to the Reuters Institute 2025 report.
The future of UK TV news
GB News is planning international expansion in 2026, targeting audiences in the US and Europe. Its revenue jumped from £140 million in 2024 to £180 million in 2025, but it still trails Sky News’ estimated £250 million. The big question is whether its growth is sustainable. Can it keep attracting viewers without becoming more extreme? Can it expand beyond its core demographic?
The BBC faces its own challenges. Its funding model is under pressure, with charter renewal talks coming in 2027. If public funding drops, it may have to cut back or go commercial. That could open the door for GB News or another player to challenge its dominance.
For now, the UK news landscape is split. GB News wins on engagement and average viewership. BBC News wins on reach and trust. Sky News is stuck in the middle-still big, but losing momentum. The real winner? Viewers who know which channel to turn to for what they need.
Is GB News the most watched news channel in the UK?
Yes, as of 2025, GB News is the most watched commercial TV news channel in the UK based on average viewership. It surpassed Sky News in late 2025, with an average of 80,000 viewers per day across the year. However, the BBC News Channel still has a larger total weekly reach, with 4.3 million unique viewers compared to GB News’ 2.1 million.
Why is BBC News still important if GB News has higher average viewers?
BBC News reaches far more people overall-4.3 million unique viewers weekly versus GB News’ 2.1 million. It’s also the default source for breaking news across the country, especially for older viewers and those without internet access. Its public service status means it’s available on all major platforms and doesn’t rely on advertising revenue, giving it stability that commercial channels don’t have.
How does Sky News compare to GB News and BBC News?
Sky News has the highest total weekly reach among commercial channels (4.1 million) and leads in digital app usage with 3.4 million monthly users. But its linear TV viewership has dropped since 2024. It’s still seen as a reliable, centrist source, but it’s losing ground to GB News in key time slots like mornings and evenings. It doesn’t have the same polarizing appeal as GB News, nor the universal reach of the BBC.
Why is GB News growing so fast on social media?
GB News has focused heavily on short-form video content, especially on TikTok and Facebook. In 2025, it generated 2.6 billion video views-up 230% from 2024. Its content is often emotionally charged, opinion-driven, and highlights stories mainstream outlets overlook. This resonates with viewers who feel unheard, especially in non-metropolitan areas. Its viral clips and live debates attract clicks, even if they’re controversial.
Are there concerns about GB News’ journalism?
Yes. Ofcom upheld 17 formal complaints against GB News in 2025 for breaching impartiality rules, more than any other commercial news channel. Critics accuse it of promoting conspiracy theories, lacking fact-checking, and giving too much airtime to fringe voices. Supporters argue it’s simply giving a platform to views that other channels ignore. The debate reflects a wider split in how people define ‘fair’ journalism.
Which news channel should I watch?
It depends on what you want. If you want broad, trusted coverage of national and international events, stick with BBC News. If you want fast, professional updates with global context, Sky News is still solid. If you want strong opinions, deep dives into issues you feel are ignored, and a more confrontational style, GB News is your pick. Many people now watch all three to get a fuller picture.
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