In a shocking upset that could reshape Britain's media landscape, GB News has surged past Sky News to claim the crown as the nation's top commercial news channel for 2025!
Picture this: For decades, Sky News has been the undisputed king of round-the-clock commercial news in the UK, ever since it burst onto the scene back in 1989. But hold onto your seats—according to the latest official figures from BARB (that's the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board, which tracks TV viewing data like a meticulous scorecard for channels), 2025 marks a dramatic end to that reign. GB News notched up an impressive monthly average of 80,000 viewers throughout the year, edging out Sky News's 74,000 by a solid nine percent. It's like a long-forgotten underdog suddenly sprinting ahead in a marathon.
And this is where it gets even more intriguing: GB News isn't just flirting with the top spot—it's on a hot streak, poised to snag the number one position for a sixth consecutive month. Fresh BARB stats for December confirm it's already reigned supreme in July, August, September, October, and November, outpacing not only Sky News but also the BBC News Channel. To put that in perspective for newcomers to media stats, imagine consistently beating the giants in a crowded field—it's no small feat and speaks volumes about shifting viewer loyalties.
Diving deeper, since the start of the year on January 1, GB News has outperformed Sky News on a whopping 223 out of 350 days—that's a stunning 64 percent of the year so far. Plus, it's spent 48 days holding the title of the UK's top non-public service broadcasting (PSB) channel, which basically means it's the leading option outside government-funded ones like the BBC. For context, non-PSB channels are privately owned and rely on ads or subscriptions, so this is a big deal in the competitive commercial space. Sky News, by comparison, managed just 16 days in that spot, meaning GB News soared ahead by a massive 200 percent. And if you're wondering about engagement, GB News also shines in average time viewed (ATV), the metric that shows how long people stick around—clocking in at 94 hours annually versus Sky's 86 hours, a 12 percent bump that hints at viewers being more glued to the screen.
But here's the part most people miss: This isn't just a blip—it's a full-blown growth spurt for GB News.
On traditional linear TV (think watching live broadcasts on your regular set), the channel now attracts roughly 1.02 million unique viewers daily, a healthy 19 percent leap from the previous year. In 2024, it hit about 860,000 per day, so this upward trend shows real momentum, potentially reflecting how more Brits are tuning in for unfiltered takes on the news.
Yet the real fireworks are happening online, where digital consumption is exploding even faster. GB News racked up around 2.6 billion video views and streams in 2025, skyrocketing from 0.8 billion in 2024—a mind-boggling 230 percent increase. This explosive growth is fueled by a savvy push into platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and connected TV (CTV, which includes smart TVs and streaming devices). For example, TikTok has been a game-changer, boosting views from 656 million in 2024 to a staggering 1.82 billion in 2025, up about 180 percent. Facebook saw its video views nearly triple, jumping from 32 million to 98 million (a 200 percent rise), while YouTube ticked up 6.4 percent, from 55 million to 58 million monthly views. Even CTV got in on the action, with plays inching up from 1.85 million per month in late 2024 to 1.86 million in 2025. These numbers paint a picture of a channel adapting brilliantly to how modern audiences consume news—short, snappy clips on social media versus lengthy live shows.
All this success has GB News ranked as one of the UK's top six non-PSB channels, and it's been the outright leader in that category for 45 days so far in 2025. The channel's CEO, Angelos Frangopoulos, summed it up perfectly: 'GB News has proven that journalism which puts the people first deeply connects with communities across the nation. The people of Britain trust us to provide journalism which is fearless and bold—and we will continue to deliver it.' It's a bold stance that emphasizes grassroots appeal over polished neutrality.
This impressive run builds on a year packed with blockbuster moments. Take November's world-exclusive interview with Donald Trump—it became the most-viewed chat in GB News history and sparked global buzz. Plus, the channel has aired a string of hard-hitting investigations into topics like grooming gangs and immigration issues, highlighting stories that other outlets might gloss over. Frangopoulos added, 'Across all our platforms, GB News is setting new records for growth and engagement at a time when the editorial standards of others are being brought into question.' And looking ahead, 2025 also saw the start of international expansion, with plans to ramp it up in 2026 to position GB News as a global voice for the UK.
How exactly did GB News shatter Sky's long-standing dominance? Let's break it down.
On the linear TV front, where reach means the total unique people tuning in, GB News climbed from an average of 860,000 daily viewers in 2024 to 1.02 million in 2025—a precise 19.2 percent boost. But digital is where the magic really happens, with total viewing events across platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and CTV leaping from 0.8 billion in 2024 to 2.6 billion in 2025, equaling that 230 percent growth we mentioned. TikTok leads the charge, as we've seen, with YouTube and CTV also contributing to this viral surge.
Now, this is the part that could spark some heated debates: Is GB News's rise a triumph of bold, people-focused journalism, or does it reflect a growing appetite for potentially biased narratives? For instance, their investigations into sensitive topics like grooming gangs and immigration might resonate with some viewers seeking 'fearless' coverage, but critics could argue it leans toward sensationalism or overlooks broader contexts. And with their CEO talking about 'journalism which puts the people first,' it raises questions about editorial balance in an era when trust in media is at an all-time low. What do you think—does this shift signal a positive evolution in British news, or a worrisome tilt toward echo chambers? Do you agree with GB News's approach, or see it as controversial? Share your opinions in the comments—we'd love to hear what you make of this media makeover!
