Radio & Podcast News – StatsRadio to publish regular audience data releases

ADVERTORIAL: As monolithic data companies grow increasingly reticent to release audience data, StatsRadio™ is boldly setting out in the opposite direction by announcing the release of regular public updates on the audience performance of regional radio stations. Louis-Philippe Sutton, President of StatsRadio, says with advertisers and agencies constantly being bombarded with data from digital media, the radio industry needs to fight back. He asserts that going public with audience data—while bigger data companies are increasingly more secretive—will help communicate that radio has a key role to play in any well-grounded advertising plan. “The current perception is that radio is in worse shape than it is,” said Sutton. “Currently, the reach of most small market stations is 50 to 80% of the market. This shows agencies that we still exist and that, particularly in a small market, we’re still a good way to advertise.” StatsRadio provides daily performance data for nearly 150 stations, and plans to publish the total reach and weekly listening hours in the A18+ category for participating radio stations on its website StatsRadio.com, beginning June 1. Read more here.

Numeris says AM/FM radio is reaching 85% of Canadians, 25-54, each week, according to its latest insights release for Winter 2023 (which replaces its topline data release for the 13-week period from Nov. 28 to Feb. 26). Weekly reach among those 25-54 was highest with Franco Montreal listeners at 91.7%, followed by Calgary and Edmonton which both saw reach of 86.2%. In the 25-54 demo, 63% of AM/FM listening was done outside the home, comparable to Winter 2022. Out-of-home tuning was highest during drive (73%) and daytime (71%). Numeris says adults, 25-54, spent an average of just over six hours a week listening, led by Franco Montrealers who spend 8.4 hours with radio weekly. Across all metered markets, audiences are listening to an average of two stations a day. Read more here.

Edison Research has released new insights indicating that listeners are spending five times the amount of time with AM/FM radio (85%), compared to ad-supported streaming audio (15%). Reflecting listening among Americans, 18+, Edison says the data points illustrate a strength of traditional AM/FM radio and its streams when compared in an ad-supported universe (Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, Apple Music, etc.). SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts, music channels on TV, owned music such as CDs, and audiobooks are not included in the comparison. According to Edison’s Share of Ear, overall more than twice the amount of listening time for Americans, 18+, is spent with AM/FM radio (71%), compared to all streaming audio (29%). 

The CRTC has approved a new low-power Indigenous radio station in Brocket, AB. To be operated by Piikani Resource Development at 105.7 FM, on behalf of Piikani Tsi Nii Ka Sin Broadcasting Association, the 50-watt station plans to predominantly broadcast musical content, 35% of which would be selections performed or composed by Indigenous creators. 21 hours of programming a week will be devoted to spoken word, of which a minimum of 14 hours would be Blackfoot-language programming. Programming will range from pow-wow music, history stories, language learning, and cultural teachings to special programs, including concerts and live in-studio performances.

Harvard Media’s 620 CKRM Regina has named its newsroom after Jim Smalley ahead of his pending retirement. The station’s longtime ag director, Smalley is wrapping up a 50-year broadcasting career that began at CKDR Dryden, ON. After stops in Fort Frances and Weyburn, SK, he became the first farm news director at CKCK Radio and TV in Regina in 1975. He joined CKRM in 1982.

Corus Radio and Universal Music are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration of U2’s new album, Songs of Surrender, a reimagining of 40 of their best songs. This Friday, March 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. (local time), participating Corus stations will celebrate the best of the Irish with choice cuts from the new album, in addition to giving listeners a chance to see Bono live in New York City. Participating radio stations include: Rock 101 (CFMI-FM) Vancouver, Q107 (CILQ-FM) Toronto, boom (CJOT-FM) Ottawa, boom (CJSS-FM) Cornwall, BIG (CIQB-FM) Barrie, FM96 (CFPL-FM) London, Y108 (CJXY-FM) Hamilton, Chuck (CKNG-FM) Edmonton, Power 97 (CJKR-FM) Winnipeg, BIG (CFMK-FM) Kingston, The Wolf (CKWF-FM) Peterborough, and Dave Rocks (CJDV-FM) Kitchener.

University of Toronto Community Radio Inc. (UTCRI), which manages CIUT-FM, has invested in a new podcast studio for students. Located on the third floor of Hart House, the new space can accommodate shows with up to six speakers. Access to the facility is available for free to all U of T students who have participated in training, with staff available to support students. The station is further supporting students by covering the cost of podcast distribution and using its broadcast reach to help promote the discoverability of emerging student podcasts. UTCRI Board President Michael McDougall says the objective “is to stretch the boundaries of the public conversation on issues that are relevant to Toronto, and by investing in this podcast studio, we aspire to cultivate a whole new cohort of broadcasters and content-creators.”

JAR Audio has opened the JAR Audio Pilot Competition for Emerging Women Podcasters. Emerging women writers and podcasters are encouraged to enter, outlining their idea for an original podcast series. The proposed series can be any genre from sci-fi to documentary to interview-driven podcasts. JAR will commit to making a pilot episode based on the winning pitch, working in collaboration with the creator. The creator retains full ownership of the IP and can use the pilot episode as a “calling card” to encourage sponsorship, audience buy-in, or advertising interest to fund the remainder of the series. The deadline to apply is May 1.

LISTEN: Radiodays North America will make its debut in Toronto, June 8-9. Replacing the long-running Radio Active conference that’s historically taken place during Canadian Music Week, CMW has partnered with Radiodays Europe to bring the conference brand to North America. On this episode of Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast, we welcome Ross Davies, one of the leads on the Radiodays North America steering committee, to talk about bringing the event to this side of the pond and renewing excitement for all things audio. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:

LISTEN: On the latest Sound Off Podcast, Dean “Boomer” Molberg, host of the Barn Burner podcast, a show dedicated to everything Calgary Flames, co-hosted with Ryan Pindler and former Flames player Rhett Warrener. A radio veteran, you most likely know Molberg from his tenure on the morning show at Sportsnet 960 The Fan (CFAC-AM) Calgary. Among other things, Matt and Dean talk about why his team felt the switch to podcasting was a necessary one, his career covering sports (including his time at CKX Brandon, MB), and most importantly, hockey.