According to the digital association Bitkom, around 45% of Germans aged 16 and over listened to podcasts at least occasionally in 2024 – a figure almost identical to the previous year (43%). Four years ago, this figure was only 33%. Podcasts are particularly popular among younger people: around half (51%) of those aged 16 to 29 listen to podcasts regularly. The figure is similar among those aged 30 to 49, at 46%. Among those aged 50 to 64, usage even reaches 50%. Among the over-65s, however, the figure is only 35%.
The Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024 shows that interest in news in Germany remains at a relatively low level. Although the long-term downward trend in interest in news has slowed slightly, only 55% of adult internet users say they are very or extremely interested in news – a slight increase compared to 2023 (52%), but still well below previous figures. News avoidance continues to be particularly striking: 14% of respondents actively try to avoid news, while 69% do so at least occasionally – an increase of four percentage points compared to the previous year. The main reasons cited are the overwhelming amount of news and the often negative reporting on crises, wars and violence. At the same time, 41% of respondents feel exhausted by the sheer volume of news, a significant increase compared to 2019, when only 26% had this response.
Despite these developments, interest in certain types of news remains high: 58% of respondents would like to see more positive news, 53% are interested in reports that offer solutions, and 50% value news that explains complex issues in an understandable way.
In 2024, the internet was the most important news source for the majority of the adult population in Germany for the first time: 42% of respondents cited the internet as their main news source, followed by terrestrial television at 41%. The internet dominates among 18-to-24-year-olds in particular, with 35% of this age group citing social media as their main news source.
People’s trust in established media in Germany has stabilised at the level seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Mainz-based long-term study on media trust, published in April 2024, 44% of respondents said they “on the whole” or “completely” trust the media on important issues such as environmental problems, political crises or health risks. This figure is almost the same as in 2019 (43%) and well below the peak levels during the pandemic, when trust rose to 56% due to an increased need for information.
Trust in public service broadcasting remains stable at 64%, a slight increase compared to the previous year (62%). This section of the media continues to enjoy the highest level of trust among Germans. Social networks and alternative news sites remain the least trusted sources, with approval ratings of less than 10%.