BBC World News published a study on the value of news to pay TV subscribers across the APAC region. The research, titled ‘The Value of News– and the Importance of Trust’, shows that, despite the proliferation of digital news offerings, TV is still the most popular platform for staying up-to-date with international news (85%), followed by social media (76%), news apps (50%), websites (49%), newspapers (45%) and news aggregators (36%).

According to The Global Web Index,consumers’ use of digital news/social feeds compliments, rather than cannibalises, news consumption on pay TV. Online news consumers are four times as likely to watch international news** channels as those who don’t consume news online.

For those who use social media for breaking news, international news channels are the top alternate source for fact-checking, with 68% of respondents saying they do this, followed by international news websites or apps at 62%, national TV channels (57%) and national news websites (52%).

In an ever-changing and connected world, news stories are affecting audiences’ lives like never before. With regional events having a greater impact globally, audiences turn to news sources in order to gain clarity and insight on global stories and concerns about fake news are prevalent in APAC. 82% of those surveyed say that staying abreast of news is important and more than three quarters (77%) say they are more concerned about global issues than ever before. However, 79% of news consumers in APAC are concerned about fake news and 64% find it hard to distinguish between real and fake news.

The study shows that BBC World News is the world’s most trusted international news channel and 87% of subscribers say they would consider changing their package if the channel was no longer available.International TV news channels are more likely to be perceived as impartial and balanced, as well as having strengths in offering a global perspective, comparing different sources and bringing stories to people’s attention which they may not otherwise have heard about.

Chris Davies, Commercial Director for BBC Global News Ltd, said, “In a world of fake news and increasing mistrust in the media, access to accurate, impartial news is more important than ever. Consumers are looking for news they can rely on and this research reveals clear evidence that customers value trustworthy, quality news like that provided by the BBC.”