That's according to an analysis conducted by communications regulator Ofcom on local media.

Compared to adults in other parts of England and Wales, adults in Northern Ireland are also more likely to use websites like BBC News NI and listen to local radio.

Social media, particularly Facebook groups, is likely to be the primary source of local news for those between the ages of 16 and 34.

Compared to England, Scotland, or Wales, local radio is more popular in Northern Ireland, where 80% of adults listen to it weekly.

However, compared to listeners of commercial radio stations, listeners to BBC radio stations, such as Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle, tended to be older on average.

Despite being more popular and drawing larger local audiences than national network news programs on the BBC or ITV, Northern Ireland's TV news programs, such as BBC Newsline or UTV Live, have seen a decrease in viewership in recent years.

Ofcom’ audience analysis report said: “In Northern Ireland, some perceived the BBC regions/nations news bulletins to be of higher quality than the alternatives.”

However, compared to the UK average: “Adults in Northern Ireland are more likely to watch any type of news.”