Radio buyers, sellers and programmers now speak only one language for the five major markets: PPM. The rest of the country continues to rely on diaries that cover a different rating period. Moreover, diary results are released at a different time from their PPM brethren. Today’s PPM radio release from BBM completes the 13-week period covering March 1 to May 30. This marks the third 13-week period in the new era of measurement for Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Toronto: Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to CHFI-FM with a 13.7% share of hours tuned for A12+ (down slightly from 13.9% last time out), followed by up-and-comer BOOM FM with a 9.5% share (up from 9.3%). Office favourite CHFI-FM leads the way for females 25 to 54 with a 16.6% share (down from 18.3%) followed by another office station CHUM-FM with 16.2% share (down from 16.7%). Q107 is on top for males 25 to 54, posting a 14.8% share (up from 13.9% in the last 13-week book). The Edge 102.1 held its #1 slot with males 18 to 34 turning in a 15.7% share (up from 14.4%).

Vancouver: CKNW holds the #1 spot for A12+ with a 14.6% share of hours tuned (up from 14.0% last time out). PPM seems to like CKNW, in part due to the fact that it is played in a wide variety of environments. Office station 103.5 QM-FM, although slipping slightly, continues to benefit from the new methodology, maintaining the top spot for females 25 to 54 with a 14.7% share (down from 15.6%). In a tight race for males 25 to 54, CKNW (with 9.9%) inched out Rock 101 (with 9.6%). In a bizarre artifact of the PPM era, QM-FM tops the list for males 18 to 34 followed with 12.7% share of hours tuned. When it comes to females 18 to 34, the Beat takes top spot with an 11.8% share followed by Virgin at 11.6%

David Bray is a Partner at Hennessy & Bray Communications.

A brief overview of share figures from the latest PPM 2010 BBM release, compiled by David Bray.

Toronto: % Share of Hours Tuned (Mon. to Sun, 5 a.m.-1 a.m.)

Vancouver: % Share of Hours Tuned (Mon. to Sun, 5 a.m.-1 a.m.)