David Bray is President of Bray & Partners Communications.

Feel free to forward questions and inquiries:

Phone: (416)431-5792 

E-mail: [email protected] 

Web sites: brayandpartners.com, davidbray.ca

Across the country consolidation and staff cuts continue to be an issue. In the PPM markets, there is some discussion concerning sample sizes. As stations struggle to maximize revenue, radio remains popular with an average weekly reach of 85% for A12+. Out of home represents 49% of tuning. We should note that, for Canadians, 10% of radio consumption comes from AM/FM live radio streaming. Let’s forge on.

The new PPM release from Numeris completes the 13-week period covering May 29 to Aug. 27, 2023. Instead of driving to and from work, many are still working from home. This, in turn can have an effect on the nature of drive times.

Let’s look at the five PPM markets:

Toronto: Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to CBC Radio One, delivering an 11.5 % share for A12+ (down from 12.6%), followed by CHFI-FM with 11.0% and Q107 with 10.6%. CHUM-FM comes out on top with Women 25-54 with a 12.6% share (up from 11.2%), followed by CHFI-FM at 11.2%. For Men 25-54, CityNews 680 leads with 9.5%, while Q107 climbs to 9.4%. Q107 is well out in front for M18-34 at 16.4% (down from 17.6%). CHFI-FM tops the list for F18-34 with a 22.1% share, followed by boom 97.3 with 10.9%.

Vancouver: 980 CKNW grabs the #1 spot for A12+ with a 14.5% share of hours tuned (up from 12.5%). Taking the top spot for F25-54 is 94.5 Virgin Radio with a 19.0% (down from 19.2%) share. CKNW holds the lead for M25-54 listeners, delivering a 13.9% share. CKNW is also out in front for M18-34 with 13.1% share of hours tuned, followed by MOVE at 12.7%. With Women 18-34, CFOX is #1 with an impressive 25.0 %.

Edmonton: UP 99.3 takes #1, A12+, posting a 9.6% share of hours tuned. 102.3 NOW! Radio holds top spot for F25-54, delivering a 16.9% share (down from 18.2%). NOW! Radio also tops the list for M25-54 with an 11.1% share, followed by 100.3 The Bear and K97, both at 10.3%. For M18-34, NOW! is well out in front at 18.2% (up from 13.7%). CISN Country led with F18-34, delivering a healthy 19.9%.

Calgary: XL 103 leads the way for A12+ with a 11.1 share. 90.3 AMP Radio is popular with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54, delivering a 12.3% share. For M25-54, X92.9 rules with a 14.2% (up from 12.9%). 101.5 Today Radio is in the top spot for M18-34, delivering a substantial 25.8% (up from 16.9%). XL103 tops F18-34, posting a 17.8%.

Montreal: CHMP 98.5 FM is #1 for A12+ (Franco) with a 21.0% share (down from 23.5%). For A12+ (Anglo), CJAD 800 is #1 with a 26.5% (up from 23.7%). CHMP-FM is also tops with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54 (Franco), delivering a 16.8 % share (down from 19.6%), followed closely by 105.7 Rythme FM at 16.7%. For F25-54 (Anglo), The Beat 92.5 is waaaay out in front with a 36.5 % share (down from 38.8%). For M25-54 (Franco), CHMP 98.5 FM is on top with 22.3 % share (down from 28.6%). For M25-54 (Anglo), CHOM-FM is #1 at 18.9% (up from 17.2), followed by The Beat 92.5 at 17.2%.