By David Bray

Across the country, consolidation and station staff cuts continue to be an issue. Numeris has already undergone diary-market cuts and staff cuts and it seems radio might be taking a back seat in terms of priorities. In the PPM markets, there is significant discussion concerning sample sizes. As someone who has been around a while, I can say that the good old days in radio are gone and stations are struggling to maximize revenue. Many radio sales reps have been asked to cover digital and sometimes TV. Still, radio remains consistently popular with an average weekly reach of 85% for adults. Perhaps reflective of the work-from-home trend, in-home represents 52% of tuning. Out-of-home listening represents 48% of tuning. Since many people are still working from home some or all days of the week, this has influenced the nature of drive tune-in times. For Canadians, 10% of radio consumption comes from AM/FM live radio streaming.

The new PPM release from Numeris completes the 13-week period covering Aug. 28 to Nov. 26, 2023. All references to adults are for ages 12-plus.

Let’s look at the five PPM markets.

Toronto

Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to CBC Radio One delivering a 13.2% share for adults, up from 11.5%, followed by CHFI-FM with 12.8%. BOOM 97.3 comes out on top for women 25 to 54 with a 12.1% share followed by CHFI-FM at 11.4% and CHUM-FM with 10.4%. For males 25 to 54, CityNews 680 leads with 9.0% followed by BOOM with 8.4% and Z103.5 at 8.3%. Q107 is out in front for males 18 to 34 with a 10.8% (down from 16.4%) followed by BOOM at 10.4%. CHFI-FM tops the list for women 18 to 34 at 21.5% share followed by BOOM with 15.5%.

Vancouver

CKNW grabs the #1 spot for adults with a 15.1% share of hours tuned (up from 14.5%). Taking the top spot for women 25 to 54 is 94.5 Virgin with 19.4% (up from 19.0%) share. CKNW holds the lead for males 25 to 54, delivering a 14.4% share followed by Virgin at 10.5% and Fox at 10.1%. Move 103.5 is out in front for males 18 to 34 with a 14.1% share of hours tuned. When it comes to women 18 to 34, The Fox is first place with an impressive 19.8 %.

Edmonton

102.3 Now Radio takes #1 with adults, posting a 9.4% share of hours tuned. Now holds top spot for women 25 to 54, delivering a 15.8% share (down from 16.9%). The Bear tops the list for males 25 to 54 with an 11.6% share followed by K97 at 11.2%. For males 18 to 34, Now is well out in front at 19.9%, up from 18.2%. CISN Country led with women 18 to 34, delivering a healthy 18.7%.

Calgary

CBC Radio One leads the way for adults with an 11%, while 90.3 Star 95.9 Radio is popular with females, taking #1 spot for women 25 to 54 delivering a 12.4% share followed by 90.3 AMP radio at 12.2%. For males 25 to 54, X92.9 rules with a 13.4% (down from 14.2%). 101.5 Today Radio is in the top spot for males 18 to 34 delivering a 19.3% (up from 16.9%). Star 95.9 tops women 18 to 34 posting a 13.4%.

Montreal

CHMP 98.5 FM is #1 for adults (Franco) with a 22.4% share (up from 21.0%). For adults (Anglo) CJAD 800 is #1 with a 27.5% (up from 26.5%). CHMP-FM is also tops with women, taking #1 spot for 25 to 54 (Franco) delivering a 18.5 % share (up from 16.8%) followed closely by 107.3 Rouge at 18.4%. For women 25 to 54 (Anglo), The Beat 92.5 is way out in front with a 29.8% share (down from 36.5%). For males 25 to 54 (Franco), CHMP 98.5 FM is on top at a 23.7% share (up from 22.3%). For males 25 to 54 (Anglo), CHOM-FM is #1 at 19.9%, up from 18.9%.

David Bray is president of Bray & Partners Communications / Photo by David Emrich on Unsplash