Most Brits think 2023 was a memorable year for news, study finds
Six in ten Brits (61%) feel 2023 has been a memorable year when it comes to the news – with the King's Coronation emerging as the nation's favourite news story from this year.
Other standout moments include Boris Johnson resigning as MP, Donald Trump getting his mug shot taken – and both Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby leaving this morning.
The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that exactly two-thirds would claim they are “up to date” with current affairs – and have most enjoyed following sports (32%) and politics (25%) this year.
Meanwhile, for the 24% who have kept a close eye on entertainment news, some of their favourite stories have included The Beatles releasing their “last ever” song, “Now and Then” – as well as Sir Elton John headlining Glastonbury Festival, and retiring from his touring career.
But while Brits loved seeing the crowning of the new King earlier this year, almost half of those polled (48%) say they have become fed up with hearing about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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The findings come as digital newspaper and magazine app, Readly, which commissioned the research, has also launched a quiz, to test how well people have been paying attention to the news and current events this year.
Other notable moments in the top 30 list include the rise of AI, Twitter becoming X, the return of reality TV show, Big Brother – and the Barbie movie topping the box office.
The Coronation of King Charles III has emerged as the nation's favourite news story from 2023 (SWNS)Chris Couchman, head of content at Readly, said: “It seems that year on year, news is becoming even more shocking, and there have been so many highs and lows this year.
“Yet, it’s nice to be able to recap on the year we’ve had – from Nigel Farage going on I’m A Celebrity, to a Parkinson’s patient able to walk 6km without problems after a spinal implant.
“The diversity of the news in 2023, from the unexpected and shocking to the heartwarming, truly reflects the dynamic nature of the world we live in.”
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found that 74% claimed they “couldn’t quite believe” some of the stories reported in the media during the past 12 months. However, one in five (19%) also considered other years to be more memorable for news – with 2020 coming out on top.
The cost-of-living crisis came out as the biggest talking point of 2023, for 52% – followed by the Israel-Hamas war (45%), and AI (24%).
Meanwhile, the deaths of Matthew Perry (29%), Paul O’Grady (23%), and Sinead O’Connor (18%) were the biggest shocks of the year – with 61% saying they would much rather read about positive events.
The main place people turn to in order to get their news and current events information emerged as news broadcasts on TV, for 54%. This was followed by digital magazines and newspapers (44%), while 37% tune into the radio, and 29% simply rely on word-of-mouth.
And 17% suspect they’ve read a piece of news this year that was AI generated – with 30% expecting AI to dominate the news agenda even more during the next 12 months, than it has done in 2023.
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Chris Couchman, from Readly, a magazine app with more than 7,600 titles, added: “Looking ahead, we anticipate another year of compelling stories and transformative developments.
“Here’s to a year that doesn’t pass by too quickly, allowing us all to savour the moments and embrace the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. May 2024 bring us more moments that captivate, challenge, and inspire, ensuring there is always something to look forward to.”
Britain's top 30 favourite news stories of 2023:
- Coronation of King Charles III
- Boris Johnson resigns as MP
- Lionesses reach World Cup final
- Donald Trump gets his mug shot taken
- Pill announced which halves the risk of breast cancer
- Phillip Schofield leaves This Morning
- Parkinson's patient able to walk 6km without problems after spinal implant
- The rise of AI
- The Beatles release their final song, “Now and Then”
- Sir Elton John headlines Glastonbury Festival
- Nigel Farage appears on I'm A Celebrity.... Get Me Out Of Here!
- Holly Willoughby leaves This Morning
- Peter Kay goes on his first live tour in more than a decade
- Barbie film tops the Box Office
- Prince Harry releases his memoir, Spare
- Twitter becomes X
- Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff appears in public for the first time since his Top Gear crash
- Vinyl outsells CDs for the first time since 1987
- England suffer semi-final heartbreak against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup
- Dan Wootton is suspended from GB News/Laurence Fox is sacked
- Beckham documentary airs on Netflix
- Sir Elton John ends his touring career with a final concert in Stockholm, Sweden
- Big Brother returns
- Tyson Fury controversially awarded a win over Francis Ngannou
- Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story airs on Disney+
- Adele stops Las Vegas show to tell security to leave fan alone
- Married At First Sight airs on Channel 4
- Matt Hancock appears on SAS: Who Dares Wins
- Britney Spears releases her memoir, The Woman In Me
- Jada Pinkett Smith reveals she and Will Smith separated in 2016
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