David Bray is President of Bray & Partners Communications.
Feel free to forward questions and inquiries:
Phone: (416) 431-5792
E-mail: davidbray@brayandpartners.com
brayandpartners.com, davidbray.ca
Major changes in radio ownership across Canada have prompted discussions concerning the future of the medium. Bell Media has announced the sale of 45 of its radio stations shockingly declaring “it’s not a viable business anymore”. The buyers are Vista Radio, Whiteoaks Communications, Durham Radio, My Broadcasting Corp., ZoomerMedia, Arsenal Media, and Maritime Broadcasting Services. Clearly, there are a number of believers remaining. Radio remains consistently popular with an average weekly reach of 84% for A12+. Perhaps reflective of the work from home trend, in home represents 52% of tuning. Out of home represents 48% 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 Nov. 23, 2023 to Feb. 25, 2024. Let’s look at the five PPM markets:
Toronto: Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to CHFI, delivering a 15.4% share, A12+ (up from 12.8 %). CHFI comes out on top with women 25-54 with a 15.2% share followed by boom 97.3 at 12.7 % and CHUM-FM with 12.4%. For men 25-54, boom leads with 10.4%, followed by CHFI with 9.0 %. Q107 is out in front for M18-34 with an 11.9% (up from 10.8%), followed by CHFI at 10.4%. CHFI-FM is waaaay out in front for F18-34, topping the list at 24.9%.
Vancouver: CKNW grabs the #1 spot for A12+ with a 13.7% share of hours tuned (down from 15.1%). Taking the top spot for F25-54 is 94.5 Virgin Radio with 16.8% (down from 19.4%), followed by Move 103.5 at 16.3%. CKNW holds the lead for M25-54 listeners, delivering a 12.4% share, followed by CFOX at 10.1% and Rock 101 and Virgin Radio, both at 9.8%. Move 103.5 is out in front for M18-34 with a 16.5% share of hours tuned (up from 14.1%). When it comes to women 18-34, CFOX is #1 by a wide margin with an impressive 28.0%.
Edmonton: CBC Radio One takes #1 with A12+, posting an 8.7 % share of hours tuned. NOW! holds top spot for F25-54, delivering a 14.8% share (down from 15.8 %). The Bear tops the list for M25-54 with an 11.9% share followed by K97 at 9.8%. For M18-34, NOW is out in front at 16.7%, followed by the Bear with 14.3%. CISN Country led F18-34 listening, delivering a healthy 17.1%.
Calgary: CBC Radio One leads the way for A12+ with a 12.6% share. Star 95.9 is popular with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54, delivering an 18.3%. For M25-54, X92.9 rules with a 12.3% (down from 13.4%). 101.5 Today Radio is in the top spot for M18-34, delivering a 15.9% (down from 19.3%). 90.3 AMP Radio tops F18-34, posting a 15.4%.
Montreal: CHMP 98.5 FM is #1 for A12+ (Franco) with a 22.3% share (down from 22.4%). For A12+ (Anglo), CJAD 800 is #1 with a 28.4% (up from 27.5%). 107.3 Rouge is tops with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54 (Franco), delivering a 20.5 % share (up from 16.8%). For F25-54 (Anglo), The Beat 92.5 is waaaay out in front with a 27.4 % share. For M25-54 (Franco), CHMP 98.5 FM is on top at a 23.3% share. For M25-54 (Anglo), CHOM-FM is #1 at 21.4% (up from 19.9%).
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