David Bray is President of Bray & Partners Communications.
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Phone: (416)431-5792
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We’ve come to the crossroads. As mentioned previously, significant methodology changes are on the near horizon as Numeris prepares to replace diaries with a different approach. Diaries continue to be the currency for the spring 2026 book. A parallel analysis using the new methodology was also prepared for spring.
The radio industry is facing financial challenges. Consolidation and cuts have been taking place right at radio groups across the country. So many friends are gone. Similarly, significant changes to staffing have taken place at Numeris. I think fondly of days gone by with the likes of Owen Charlebois, Don Easter, Chris Pandoff et al. Not to criticize the current team. Everywhere financial considerations are having an impact. Boosting sample sizes is a problem. Still the medium continues to command a significant reach and retail impact.
With the new system for diary markets we are left with three different approaches. One each for Numeris (previously diary) markets, the smaller radioCount markets and the larger PPM markets. Not to mention all of the formerly diary markets that were dropped by Numeris and left without measurement. How do we follow and report on these crossroads? Somehow all will be assimilated and reported on by current software.
With this book, radio retains an average weekly reach of 80% for Canadians A12+. In home and out of home tuning are equally split 50/50. Out of home represents 48% of tuning. For Canadians, 11% of radio consumption comes from AM/FM live radio streaming. Let’s forge on.
The latest PPM release from Numeris covers the period of March 2 to May 31, 2026. Let’s look at the five PPM markets.
Toronto: Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to CHFI, delivering a 12.5% share for A12+ (flat with the last book). CHFI also comes out on top with women 25-54 with a sizeable 20.3% share (up from 16.0 %). For men 25-54, KiSS 92.5 leads with a 14.1% share (down from 14.6%). 102.1 The Edge is out in front for M18-34 with an 18.4% (down from 24.0 %) followed by KiSS at 13.1%. CHFI is #1 for F18-34 with a large lead topping the list at 26.8% (up from 21.6%), followed by CHUM-FM with 12.5% (down from 16.1%).
Vancouver: CBC Radio One grabs the #1 spot for A12+ with a 17.9% share of hours tuned (down from 18.9%). Taking the top spot for F25-54 is 94.5 Virgin Radio with a 19.5% share (down from 21.9%), followed by MOVE 103.5 with 14.5%. CFOX holds the lead for M25-54 listeners, delivering a 14.1% share (down from 14.9%). CFOX is also out in front for M18-34 with a 21.4% share of hours tuned (followed by The Peak with 14.0%). When it comes to women 18-34, Virgin takes a lead with 15.6% share (down from 24.0%).
Edmonton: UP 99.3 takes #1 with A12+, posting a 14.3% share of hours tuned (up from 12.5%). UP 99.3 holds top spot for F25-54, delivering a 28.0% share (up from 25.8%). KiSS 91.7 tops the list for M25-54 with a 16.9% share, followed by NOW! Radio with 10.0%. For M18-34, KiSS is out in front at 17.0%. With F18-34, UP 99.3 led with a 37.9% share (down from 40.1%).
Calgary: CBC Radio One leads the way for A12+ with a 15.3% share (down from 16.6%). X92.9 is popular with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54, delivering a 9.2% share. For M25-54, CJAY rules with a 11.5% share. AMP Radio is in the top spot for M18-34, delivering a 13.3 %. CJAY tops F18-34, posting 29.3%.
Montreal: Radio Canada Premiere is #1 for A12+ (Franco) with a 22.1% share (down from 23.8%), followed by 98.5FM with 20.6%. For A12+ (Anglo), CJAD 800 is #1 with a 32.7% (down from 33.5 %). 98.5 FM is tops with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54 (Franco), delivering a 19.4% share (up from 17.6%). For F25-54 (Anglo), Virgin Radio is out in front with a 30.3% share (up from 27.3%). For M25-54 (Franco), Radio Canada Premiere is on top at a 23.3 % share (flat with the last book). For M25-54 (Anglo), The Beat is #1 at 23.2% (up from 21.5 %).
