David Bray is President of Bray & Partners Communications.
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With the release of the Winter PPM numbers, we continue to witness some very unusual figures and trends. PPM markets will continue to live with low sample sizes, which in turn results in some unusual bounces.
As mentioned previously, significant methodology changes are on the near horizon. Numeris is preparing to replace diaries with a different approach. It has been confirmed that diaries will continue to be the currency for the spring 2026 books. The assumption is that a parallel release using the new methodology will be released this Spring.
That would leave us 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 former diary markets dropped by Numeris and left without measurement.
With this book, radio retains an average weekly reach of 79% for Canadians A12+. In home represents 52% of tuning. Out of home represents 48% of tuning. For Canadians, 10% of radio consumption comes from AM/FM live radio streaming. Let’s forge on.
The latest PPM release from Numeris completes the 13-week period covering Dec.1, 2025-March 1, 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+. CHFI also comes out on top with Women 25-54 with a 16.0% share (up from 15.2%). For Men 25-54, KiSS 92.5 leads with a 14.6% share (up from 12.2%). 102.1 The Edge is out in front for M18-34 with a 24.0%, followed by KiSS 92.5 at 16.6%. CHFI is #1 for F18-34 topping the list at 21.6%, followed by CHUM-FM with 16.1%.
Vancouver: CBC Radio One grabs the #1 spot for A12+ with 18.9% share of hours tuned (up from 17.9%). Taking the top spot for F25-54 is 94.5 Virgin Radio with a 21.9% share (up from 16.7%), followed by MOVE 103.5 with 17.5%. CFOX holds the lead for M25-54 listeners, delivering a 14.9% share. CFOX is also out in front for M18-34 with a 20.2% share of hours tuned. When it comes to Women 18-34, Virgin takes a lead with 24.0% share.
Edmonton: UP! 99.3 takes #1 with A12+, posting a 12.5 % share of hours tuned (up from 12.2%). UP! 99.3 holds top spot for F25-54, delivering a 25.8% share (up from 25.1%). KiSS 91.7 tops the list for M25-54 with a 12.8% share followed by NOW! with 12.1%. For M18-34, The Bear is out in front at 21.5%. In an odd result for F18-34, UP! 99.3 led with a 40.1% share.
Calgary: CBC Radio One leads the way for A12+ with a 16.6% share (down from 19.3%). 101.5 Today Radio is popular with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54, delivering a 15.4% share (up from 12.3%). For M25-54, Star 95.9 rules with a 10.6% share of hrs. tuned (up from 9.8%). 107.3 The Edge is in top spot for M18-34 delivering a 20.2%. The Edge also tops F18-34, posting 14.3%.
Montreal: Radio Canada Premiere is #1 for A12+ (Franco) with a 23.8% share. For A12+ (Anglo), CJAD 800 is #1 with a 33.5 % (up from 33.1%). 107.3 Rouge FM is tops with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54 (Franco), delivering a 17.6% share (down from 20.4%). For F25-54 (Anglo), Virgin Radio is out in front with a 27.3% share. For M25-54 (Franco), Radio Canada Premiere is on top at 24.0% share (down from 24.3%). For M25-54 (Anglo), The Beat is #1 at 21.5% (up from 18.9%).
