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The Internet has solidified its lead over newspapers as a news source and is gaining on television, according to the latest numbers from the Pew Center for the People and the Press. The Internet passed newspapers in 2008 as a primary news source for consumers as a whole. Those under 50 have preferred the Internet since 2006.

Here’s how the results from December shape up:

• Television – 66% (down from 74% three years ago)
• Internet – 41% (up from 24% in 2007)
• Newspapers – 31% (down from 35% in 2008)
• Radio – 16%

Among younger respondents, the Internet has already passed television. For those 18 to 29 years of age, 65 now use the Internet as their main news source, compared to 52% who use TV. Older Americans are far more likely to rely on television. Among those 50 to 64, 71% say television is their main news source, followed by 38% citing newspapers and 34% citing the Internet.

Education & income correlate to more Internet use
College graduates are more likely to get their news from the Internet (51% compared to 54% for television). Those with household incomes of $75,000 or more are about as likely to get their news from the Internet (54%) as from television (57%).