David Bray is President of Bray & Partners Communications.
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Phone: (416) 431-5792
E-mail : davidbray@brayandpartners.com
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With the release of the Fall PPM numbers, we are witnessing some very unusual figures and trends. Some are questionable as PPM markets continue to live with low sample sizes. As a member of the former BBM Canada Radio Executive, I witnessed the PPM approach as it was developed and implemented. It has always been challenging for the industry and has affected the way radio is bought and sold.
In terms of other forms of radio measurement, significant methodology changes are on the near horizon. Numeris is preparing to replace diaries with a different approach. They explored and analyzed two alternatives before settling on one. That decision has yet to be formally announced. It has been confirmed that diaries will continue to be the currency for both the fall 2025 and spring 2026 books. The assumption is that a parallel release using the new methodology will be released in spring 2026.
That would leave us with three different approaches, one each for Numeris (previously diary) markets, the smaller radioCount markets, and the larger PPM markets. All of this will undoubtedly result in very significant changes in the way radio is bought and sold.
I should note that enhanced, modelled data for headphone tuning is available in this release
With this book, radio retains an average weekly reach of 81% for Canadians A12+. In home represents 53% of tuning, while out of home represents 47% of tuning. For Canadians, 10% of radio consumption comes from AM/FM live radio streaming. Let’s forge on.
The latest PPM release completes the 13-week period covering Sept. 1 – Nov. 30, 2025. Let’s look at the five PPM markets.
Toronto: Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to CHFI, delivering a 10.7% share for A12+, followed closely by Q107 with 10.5%. CHUM-FM comes out on top with Women 25-54 with a 15.4% share, closely followed by CHFI with 15.2%. For Men 25-54, KiSS 92.5 leads with a 12.2% share, followed by CHFI with 12.1%. 102.1 The Edge is out in front for M18-34 with a 23.6%, followed by KiSS 92.5 at 14.4%. Indie88 is #1 for F18-34, topping the list at 16.3%, followed by CHFI with 15.2%.
Vancouver: CBC Radio One grabs the #1 spot for A12+ with a 17.9% share of hours tuned (up from 15.7 %). Taking the top spot for F25-54 is 94.5 Virgin Radio with an 18.0% share (up from 16.7 %). Rock 101 holds the lead with M25-54 listeners, delivering an 11.8% share (down from 18.4%) followed by JR Country with 11.1%. Virgin is out in front for M18-34 with a 22.7 % share of hours tuned. When it comes to Women 18-34, Move 103.5 takes a lead with a 17.4% share.
Edmonton: UP 99.3 takes #1 A12+, posting a 12.2% share of hours tuned. UP 99.3 also holds the top spot for F25-54, delivering a 25.1% share (up from 21.7 %). KiSS 91.7 tops the list for M25-54 with a 12.4% share, closely followed by NOW! Radio with 12.3%. For M18-34, KiSS 91.7 is out in front at 9.3%. In an unusual result for F18-34, UP 99.3 led with a whopping 44.6% share.
Calgary: CBC Radio One leads the way for A12+ with a 19.3% share (up from 17.4%). It was also popular with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54, delivering a 12.8% share, followed by 102.5 Today Radio with 12.3%. For M25-54, Star 95.9 rules with a 9.8% share of hours tuned. 660 NewsRadio is in the top spot for M18-34, delivering an 18.6%. Wild 95.3 tops F18-34, posting an 11.6%.
Montreal: Radio Canada Premiere is #1 for A12+ (Franco) with a 23.8 % share (up from 20.2%). For A12+ (Anglo), CJAD 800 is #1 with a 33.1% (up from 30.8 %). Rouge FM is tops with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54 (Franco), delivering a 20.4% share. For F25-54 (Anglo), The Beat 92.5 is out in front with a 22.0% share (down from 26.5 %). For M25-54 (Franco), Radio Canada Premiere is on top with a 24.3% share (up from 19.5%). For M25-54 (Anglo), The Beat is #1 at 18.9% (down from 21.9 %).
