Radio & Podcast News – Numeris releases summer PPM ratings

Numeris has released PPM ratings for the 13-week period from May 29 to Aug. 27. In Toronto, CBC Radio One leads listening, A12+, delivering an 11.5 % share (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%). For Men 25-54, CityNews 680 leads with 9.5%, while Q107 climbs to 9.4%. In 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. In 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%) and is also #1 with M25-54 with an 11.1% share. For Calgary, XL 103 leads the way, 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%). In Montreal, CHMP 98.5 FM is #1, 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%). For M25-54 (Anglo), CHOM-FM is #1 at 18.9% (up from 17.2). Read David Bray’s full breakdown here.

The CRTC has approved an application by Four Senses Entertainment for a broadcast licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Squamish. Owned by Robert Wilson, the licensee of 101.5 FM (CKEE-FM) Whistler, and the estate of his late business partner Barry Duggan (10%), the proposed station would operate at 99.7 MHz (channel 259A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,449 watts (maximum ERP of 5,000 watts). Four Senses proposes to operate the new station within an Adult Album Alternative (Triple A) format, broadcasting 126 hours of local programming each week. Of those hours, 50 would be devoted to spoken word programming, including weather, traffic, news and community-centric outdoor recreation information. The station proposes to broadcast 40% Canadian music selections, higher than the 35% required. Four Senses also proposes to devote at least 15% of its musical selections to Canadian emerging artists, above the 5% expectation for commercial stations.

The CRTC has approved an application by Harvard Broadcasting to amend the broadcast licence for 95.7 CRUZ FM (CKEA-FM) Edmonton, by deleting the mainstream rock station’s condition of service to air 15% content category 3 (Special Interest Music). Harvard’s application argued that the financial struggles the station has encountered since its launch in 2010, directly stem from its inability to offer a coherent music format due to obligations relating to content category 3 music. Harvard’s application indicated the change was necessary to increase listenership and profitability to ensure the station’s viability.

Jeff Woods’ presence on 94.9 The Rock (CKGE-FM) Oshawa has been expanded to include Saturday evenings. In addition to being heard noon – 6 p.m. on Classic Rock Sundays, 94.9 The Rock has become the newest affiliate of Woods’ syndicated Records and Rockstars, kicking off this Saturday at 6 p.m. with a two-hour special.

Hot Docs has unveiled the lineup for its eighth annual Hot Docs Podcast Festival, returning to Toronto’s Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Oct. 19-22. Showcasing the best in non-fiction audio storytelling, this year’s program features four full days of live podcast events. This year’s festival will also offer a two-day Creators Forum, an opportunity for established and emerging podcasters to meet, exchange ideas, and fuel innovation. Among the festival highlights, Tom Power will host a live version of Q with special guest Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene; Jesse Brown, Jonathan Goldsbie, Arshy Mann and Mattea Roach take the spotlight for Canadaland’s 10th anniversary; and Terry O’Reilly hosts a live episode of Under The Influence. 

CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority), which manages the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians, has launched What’s up with the internet? – a new podcast series looking at the good, the bad and the ugly that make up the internet. Hosted by journalist Takara Small, the podcast will explore pressing internet issues including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and smart tech, starting with the state of Canadian broadband and affordability, online accessibility, safety and more across six episodes. The pod will also feature commentary and guest interviews from computer scientist Dr. Timnit Gebru, technology writer Paris Marx, and federal Rural Economic Development Min. Gudie Hutchings. 

The Sonar Network has picked up Season 2 of Happy to See Me, hosted by Survivor 41 winner Erika Casupanan. The first Canadian and first Filipino winner of Survivor, as well as the first woman to win in seven seasons, Casupanan is on a mission to inspire anyone who feels like an underdog to chase their dreams. Tackling self-doubt and championing the need for representation, she welcomes guests from pop culture, social media and reality TV. Second season guests include Kristie Bennett (Survivor Australia Winner), Alexandra Duggan (The Traitors Australia Winner), and Sharleen Joynt (The Bachelor U.S. and host of Bachelor in Paradise Canada). Before reality TV, Casupanan had a decade-long career as a speechwriter and public relations pro, including spending four years as Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications at Kijiji Canada.

LISTEN: Buzz Bishop, a former mainstay at CKZZ-FM Vancouver through its incarnations as Z95.3, Crave and Virgin Radio, Bishop has been heard in Calgary since 2009, currently in mornings on XL103 (CFXL-FM), alongside new co-host Samantha Stevens. In this episode of the Sound Off Podcast, he and Matt Cundill talk about radio adventures, some of the greatest programmers and promotions, and Buzz shares some tips for repurposing content in 2023. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here: