Voters Rely More on TV News for Political Information Over AI and Social Media

Trust in TV News over Digital Options

A comprehensive study conducted by the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) reveals striking insights into how American voters navigate their political information landscape. This report sheds light on the pressing preference for traditional television news over newer digital mediums, including AI and social media platforms.

TV News Reigns Supreme

According to the data from a December 2025 survey, which included responses from 2,319 U.S. adults, voters display a marked preference for TV news. An overwhelming majority of respondents, particularly potential voters, indicated they trust television news sources far more than any online platforms. In fact, potential voters are nearly nine times more likely to regard TV news as trustworthy compared to social media.

Interestingly, assessments of trust revealed that AI ranked the lowest, with about half of all survey participants expressing doubts about its reliability. This finding underscores an essential trend: despite the technological advances that the digital age has ushered in, conventional TV news remains the most credible source for political and current events updates.

Engagement Patterns

The statistical analysis presented in the VAB report highlights a decisive turn towards television for political engagement. Among voters, there is a staggering 60% increased likelihood of turning to TV news over social media. Furthermore, active voters are notably more inclined than non-voters to subscribe to pay-TV services, revealing the critical role that TV plays in informing the electorate.

TV news serves as the primary avenue for many voters to grasp essential issues and happenings. Approximately 61% habitually tune in to local news, while 57% follow national broadcasts, outpacing non-voter engagement significantly. In contrast, social media is considered a supplementary source, lacking the robust reliability that TV news offers.

Misleading Information

The report further distinguishes the perception of misinformation between TV and social media. Potential voters expressed considerable concern about the accuracy of information disseminated through social media, identifying it as a prominent conduit for fake news and misleading content. Survey results indicated that voters are almost three times more likely to associate social media with misinformation compared to television reporting.

Advertising Influence

Beyond political information gathering, the VAB report also revealed implications for advertising effectiveness. Potential voters showed a significant inclination to purchase products promoted alongside breaking news stories on local TV, indicating that the advertisement adjacent to credible news reporting can enhance purchasing decisions by 42%.

Conclusion

This thorough assessment illustrates that, regardless of political alignment or level of engagement, American voters are gravitating towards trustworthy multiscreen television platforms for their news. The robustness of TV news stands as a critical pillar in shaping political dialogue, accentuating its role not only in informing but also in influencing voter behavior and engagement with brands.

In a world where misinformation lurks at every corner of the internet, TV news retains its stature as a bastion of reliability, significantly impacting both political discourse and consumer behavior. As noted by Jason Wiese, EVP of Strategic Insights and Measurement at VAB, “TV news delivers scale, trust, credibility, and authenticity that no other media can for both political and non-political advertisers.”

For a detailed uncovering of these insights and a deeper understanding of voter behavior across various demographics, the complete report can be accessed here.