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Report
en_GB
61% of people reading newspapers across print, digital and website or apps believe headlines often fail to represent the story. This could damage trust levels and put off more digitally-savvy…
UK
Books, Magazines and Newspapers
simple
UK Newspapers and Magazines Market Report 2025
"Newspapers must focus on digital experience and fact-checking to engage young readers, while magazines must leverage their brand and embrace a wider range of media and events."
Adrian Reynolds, Associate Director
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for newspapers and magazines
Opportunities
Utilising data and AI can ensure the shift to digital newspaper content improves understanding of sources
Offer magazine readers format flexibility with download codes and collectible print editions
Magazines must leverage their brand in a competitive media landscape
THE MARKET
Market background
Newspapers and news websites have strong reach but social media will play a growing role
Average newspaper circulation declined significantly in 2025
The Economist has the highest circulation outside of free magazines
Readly has had modest take-up from its all-you-can-read digital magazine and newspaper service
Newspapers push back against the threat of AI
Market drivers
Inflation continues to concern households already struggling with the impact of higher living costs
Graph 1: CPI inflation rate, 2021-25
Consumer confidence remains fragile in the midst of an uncertain economic and geopolitical environment
Graph 2: financial confidence index, 2020-25
Graph 3: financial wellbeing index, 2020-25
Newspapers have fallen some way behind social media for keeping up with the news
Younger demographics are still using newspapers but social media and TV dominate news media
Graph 4: use of newspapers (print or digital) to keep up with the news in the last month, by generation, 2025
New government legislation seeks to clarify rules of foreign ownership in news media
Popular AI tools are changing online search and impacting traffic to publisher sites
THE CONSUMER
Print versus digital
Younger readers are driving the shift to digital news and magazine content
Graph 5: readership of magazines and newspapers, NET, 2025
Consumers are opting for digital media when it comes to national newspapers
Older readers remain loyal to print, but the decline will accelerate
There remains a sizable readership of magazines in the UK
Beyond free magazines, digital is more common than print for most categories
Graph 6: magazine readership by medium, 2025
Purchase habits
The majority of print readers pay for content but single issues are most common
Graph 7: print newspaper and magazine purchasing habits, 2025
Engage younger magazine readers with regular promotional periods and more flexible subscription plans
All-you-can-read platforms will struggle for growth
Graph 8: digital newspaper and magazine purchasing habits, 2025
Premium app content can entice younger readers
Premium website and app content can boost the brand proposition
Reading devices
Smartphones lead the way but half of digital newspaper and magazine readers are reading on laptops
Graph 9: most frequently used device for reading digital newspapers and magazines, 2025
E-readers will need to evolve to offer a seamless magazine experience
A strong smartphone reading experience is essential for digital newspapers and magazines
Attitudes towards newspapers
The increasing integration of AI tools will add pressure for accuracy with fact-checking on the move
Graph 10: attitudes towards newspapers, 2025
Data and AI can be used to move journalism beyond clickbait and misinformation
The success of newspaper podcasts reflects the potential for brand extension
Graph 11: newspaper readers who have listened to a national newspaper podcast in the last three months, by generation, 2025
Attitudes towards magazines
Offer digital download codes with print editions
Engage young digital native readers with premium collectible print editions
Graph 12: attitudes towards magazines, 2025
Brand partnerships and live events will engage young magazine fans
Graph 13: attended an event hosted by a magazine in the last 12 months, by generation, 2025
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Competitive strategies and innovation
Guardian sells the Observer to Tortoise media
Daily Mail owner DMG agrees deal to buy the Telegraph after the collapse of previous bids from US company RedBird
Newspapers looking to boost revenue with premium subscriptions
AI writing may not be well received, but brands must consider its implications for online search
The Economist introduces premium video section for subscribers
Good Housekeeping looks to paid apps, podcasts and video for further growth
John Lewis launches home magazine Foundation
Advertising and marketing activity
Social media accounted for 43% of newspaper advertising in 2025 but overall spend is in decline
Graph 14: advertising expenditure on newspapers. by medium, 2021-25
Social media is helping newspapers to promote stories and utilise timely offers
Magazine advertising is dominated by the largest publishing houses with diverse portfolios of titles
Graph 15: advertising expenditure on magazines. by medium, 2021-25
TV campaigns for magazines have declined, but the Christmas period stills brings opportunities
APPENDIX
Consumer research methodology
Consumer research questions
Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
Abbreviations
Supplementary data
Advertising expenditure by newspaper brands
Advertising expenditure by magazine publishers
UK Print Media Industry – Trends and Insights
61% of people reading newspapers across print, digital and website or apps believe headlines often fail to represent the story. This could damage trust levels and put off more digitally-savvy younger generations seeking news.
For magazines, there are strong opportunities, despite a sustained shift away from print sales. With so much free content available, magazine titles can stand out for quality and reliability, while building communities.
UK magazine brands can leverage their audience by moving beyond traditional publishing and embracing social media, video, podcasts and live events to showcase their expertise and engage audiences.
The primary threat to newspapers and magazines comes from AI-written articles and breaking news. While this may be accepted more widely for impartial and rapid breaking news, most readers will still seek the human touch. Newspapers and magazines must showcase their journalistic standards, with readers willing to pay for premium content they can trust.
Key Issues Covered in the Report
Popularity of news media, with newspapers struggling to compete with TV and social media
Readership of newspapers and magazines, and consumer use of print and digital
Purchasing patterns, with print more dependent on single issue sales, and digital driving subscriptions with lower cost offerings
Consumer device preferences for reading digital newspapers and magazines, with smartphones leading the way
Attitudes towards the national newspaper market, such as how most readers find headlines regularly fail to reflect the story
Behaviours of magazine readers, including events hosted by magazines and buying gift subscriptions
Report Attributes
Details
Published Date
November 2025
Report Author
Adrian Reynolds, Associate Director
Measurement Metrics
Average circulation of newspapers, magazines
Consumer Data
2,000 internet users aged 16+, July 2025
Consumer Survey Questions
Readership of magazines and newspapers (print vs digital), Purchase habits, Reading devices, Attitudes towards newspapers, Attitudes towards magazines
Leading UK Newspapers (by average circulation, September 2025)
Metro (free), Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, The i Paper
Leading UK Magazines (by average circulation)
Tesco Magazine, The Economist, TV Choices, Waitrose & Partners Food, The RSPB Magazine, What’s on TV
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