David Bray is President of Bray & Partners Communications.

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Phone: (416)431-5792  

E-mail : davidbray@brayandpartners.com  

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In terms of radio measurement, we remain in a state of confused and confusing. Significant methodology changes are on the near horizon. PPM markets will continue to live with low sample sizes. Numeris is preparing to replace diaries with a different approach. They explored and analysed two alternatives before settling on one. That decision has yet to be formally announced. It has been confirmed that diaries will continue to be the currency for both fall 2025 and spring 2026 books. The assumption is that a parallel release using the new methodology will be released in spring 2026. 

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. All of this will undoubtedly result in very significant changes in the way radio is bought and sold. 

With this book, radio retains an average weekly reach of 80% for Canadians A12+. In home represents 50% of tuning. Out of home represents 50% 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 completes the 14-week period covering May 26, 2025-Aug. 31, 2025. Let’s look at the five PPM markets.

Toronto: Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to boom 97.3, delivering an 11.1% share for A12+ (down from 12.5%). boom comes out on top with Women 25-54 with a 12.2% share (down from 13.9%), closely followed by CHFI with 11.6%. For Men 25-54, KiSS 92.5 leads with an 11.7% share, followed by boom and 680 News, both with 10.2%. boom is out in front for M18-34 with an 11.2%, followed by Q107 at 10.6%, 680 News (10.5%), KiSS (10.2%) and 102.1 The Edge with 10.0%. CHFI is #1 for F18-34, with a 15.4% share, followed by KiSS 92.5 with 15.0%. 

Vancouver: CBC Radio One grabs the #1 spot for A12+ with a 15.7% share of hours tuned (up from 14.1%). Taking the top spot for F25-54, is 94.5 Virgin Radio with a 16.7 % share (up from 10.3%). Rock 101 holds the lead for M25-54 listeners, delivering an 18.4% share (up from 11.7%). Virgin is out in front for M18-34 with a 15.0% share of hours tuned. When it comes to Women 18-34, Virgin takes a lead with 19.5% (up from 6.7%). 

Edmonton: CISN takes #1 with A12+, posting a 12.6% share (up from 11.5%) of hours tuned. UP! 99.3 holds top spot for F25-54, delivering an 21.7% share (down from 18.6 %). NOW Radio tops the list for M25-54 with an 10.0% share, closely followed by KiSS 91.7 with 9.9%. For M18-34, play 107 is out in front at 16.3%. In the hotly-contested F18-34, CISN led with 27.6%, followed closely by UP! 99.3, delivering 26.6%. 

Calgary: CBC Radio One leads the way for A12+ with a 17.4% share. CBC Radio One is also popular with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54, delivering a 10.2% share, followed by Star 95.9 with 9.7%. For M25-54, 90.3 Amp Radio rules with a 13.0% (up from 12.9%). Amp Radio is also in the top spot for M18-34, delivering a 22.7% (up from 19.9%). Virgin Radio tops F18-34, posting a 10.8%, followed by CJAY at 10.7%.

Montreal: Radio Canada Premiere is #1 for A12+ (Franco) with a 20.2% share (down from 20.8%). For A12+ (Anglo), CJAD 800 is #1 with a 30.8% (down from 33.8%).  105.7 Rythme-FM is tops with women, taking #1 spot for F25-54 (Franco), delivering an 18.3% share. For F25-54 (Anglo), the Beat 92.5 is out in front with a 26.5% share (up from 21.4 %). For M25-54 (Franco), Radio Canada Premiere is on top with a 19.5% share.  For M25-54 (Anglo), the Beat is #1 at 21.9%. 

The post Summer PPM ratings for Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton & Vancouver appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

Click here to register for your free Exhibit Hall Pass, Day Pass, or Full Conference Pass

The WABE Media & Entertainment Technology Conference is your chance to connect, learn, and see technology that is shaping content creation and distribution in Canada today. This is your once-in-three-years opportunity to attend in Calgary at no cost with a free Exhibit Hall Pass, or by choosing a Day Pass or Full Pass to take in all sessions and networking events.

Kicking Off Bridging the Past and Building the Future with a Celebration

On September 29, we kick off at 6pm with WABE’s 75th celebration that includes a gathering of SAIT Broadcast Systems Technology graduates and staff. Some are flying in from around the country, some are from just down the street, but it’s sure to be a great reunion for all who attend.

The SAIT BXST program, which closed in 2020, has a far-reaching and important legacy in the broadcast and media entertainment industry. Graduates are working behind the scenes at companies like CBC, Rogers, Bell, Dome, TSN, NBC, and at Cisco, Diversified, Ross Video—just to name a few of the companies still feeling the impact of the quality graduates this program produced.

WABE has always kept students and their connection to the industry in mind. This is why students can attend the conference and audit all programming for free—to grow their networks, expand their understanding of the industry, and discover where they can work. Maybe their job is in front of the camera, maybe it’s behind the scenes, working for a company that makes or installs the technology.

This year, we already have students signed up for tours during the Exhibit Hall hours, and whole first- and second-year classes coming to explore, meet people working in media and entertainment technology, and fill their delegate bags with swag that reminds them of the gear they’ll soon be using.

We also have something special planned on Monday, September 29 before the evening kickoff. If you’re in town, meet us at the reception desk at 4:15 PM, where Erin Ruttan will lead a walk to the Calgary WAVE Tech Centre. There, you’ll get a personal tour and introduction to how the City is experimenting with ATSC 3.0 as part of its Smart Cities program. The WAVE Tech Centre is a hub that allows City teams to explore new and emerging technologies, encourage pilots and experiments, and guide investment decisions—all in support of Calgary’s digital transformation.

Panel discussion with industry leaders

Navigating the Future: Regulation, Innovation, and the Canadian Media Landscape

Moderator: Connie Thiessen – Broadcast Dialogue

Goal: To examine the current regulatory landscape of Canada’s media sectors—including radio, television, and film—and discuss proactive ways industry professionals can engage, influence, and adapt.

Panellists: Kirk Nesbitt – CAB Technical Steering Committee, Steve Jones – President, Stingray Radio, Damian Petti – 2nd International VP, IATSE, Adnaan Wasey – City of Calgary Film Commissioner

Connecting the Dots: Opportunities and Challenges in Canada’s Media & Entertainment Technology Landscape

Moderator: Tim Truax – Podcast Summit

This engaging panel will bring together experts from AV, broadcast, film, and live event production to explore opportunities for growth, collaboration, and innovation within Canada’s media & entertainment technology landscape and beyond.

Panellists:

Kevin Desjardins – President, CAB; Jeff Moore – EVP & CMO, Ross Video; Johnathan Garcia – Technical Marketing Director, Crestron; Mike Johnson – Director of Engineering, Dome Productions

Featured Presentations you don’t want to miss!

Check out our schedule now.

Beyond the panels, WABE 2025 is packed with cutting-edge sessions from leaders across broadcast, post-production, radio, and film. On the morning of September 30 if your on holidays wear your orange shirt and join us for these great topics. WABE will open the conference with Robert Seeliger of Fraunhofer FOKUS, who will share insights on Green Streaming – Technologies for an Energy Efficient Delivery Chain. Later that day, Guillaume Aubuchon of Avid, presented by Annex Pro, will take attendees through From Rough Cut to Final Frame: AI’s Role in the New Editorial Workflow, while Jeff Welton of Nautel offers a practical session on Radio Transmitters and Sites: Tips, Tricks and War Stories. In audio, Greg “Stryke” Chin from Dolby will demystify immersive sound with Not Just for Blockbusters: Practical Dolby Atmos for Smaller Studios, and Erin Ruttan from the City of Calgary will showcase NextGen Broadcast Innovations with The City of Calgary. Vendor showcases from Sam Schauland of LAWO and ATEME will provide direct looks at next-generation tools, while sessions on October 1 include Guillaume Aubuchon of Avid returning with AI in Broadcast: Strategy, Risk, and Real-World Impact, Charles Rousseau of CBC presenting Toward Dynamic Media Facility (DMF), and Leigh Whitcomb of Meinberg with PTP Made Easy: Uncovering the Mysteries of SMPTE 2110 and Genlock. Radio-focused talks continue with Grant Biebrick of PTS and Kirk Harnack of Telos Alliance exploring Beyond The Box: A Software-First Approach for Today’s Radio Air Chain. Film professionals won’t want to miss Ivona Ries-Arri and Brigette Bennett of Panavision, who will discuss Technology in the Film Industry, while Paul Stechly of Applied Electronics closes with a deep dive into Design and Implementation of SMPTE 2110.

The Exhibit Hall – Always Free

There’s very little that’s free these days, but our Exhibit Hall is free. Come grab a coffee (maybe even a cookie), meet suppliers and vendors, and see the latest technology shaping our industry.

Tuesday, Sept 30: 1–6 PM (5pm Happy Hour)

Wednesday, Oct 1: 9 AM–12 PM

No other sessions are scheduled during these hours, so you can give your full attention to the exhibit hall floor.

Vendor Showcases & Exhibitors

Vendor Showcases from LAWO & ATEME

At WABE 2025, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of industry-leading exhibitors in our free exhibit hall.

These include:

Blackmagic Design,  G.S. Broadcast Technical Services Ltd., RCS Sound Software, SMPTE, KLZ Innovations Ltd., Pippin Technical Service Ltd., VidCom Communications Ltd., Kokusai Denki, SFM, DataVisual Marketing Inc., Adder Technology, AVL Media Group, Streamwell, Telestream, Diversified, RED Digital Cinema, IJES Camera Support Systems Inc., LAWO, Ateme, Imagine Communications, Studio Network Solutions, Ross Video, Interfax Systems Inc., SHAPE, Rohde & Schwarz, Nautel, LEMO Canada Inc., Matrix Video Communications Corp (MVCC), Sony Electronics Inc., Riedel Communications Inc., Technalogix Ltd., GerrAudio Distribution, Text Groove, Gates Air, RVALM, Burli News Software, Radio.Cloud, Applied Electronics, LG Electronics Canada Inc., Sennheiser Canada, Novanet Communications Limited, Avateq Corp, WideOrbit, Grass Valley Canada, Deltech Communications Group Inc., Daktronics, VW Mason, AVIXA, Ericsson Professional Services

Registration Options

• Exhibit Hall Pass – FREE 
• Media Mixer Ticket – $15 (Reunion/Birthday/Awards) 
• Day Pass – $90 access to sessions & panels for one day 
• Full Conference Pass – $175 (includes all sessions, Media Mixer, and networking opportunities) 

Register here today and make your plan to attend.

Bring a friend, a student, or a colleague. Forward this article to someone in your network. 

Don’t let October 2 be the day you realize you should have come. Sign up now and attend WABE Media & Entertainment Technology Conference in Calgary.

The post WABE: Bridging the Past and Building the Future with its 75th Celebration appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

Matt O’Neill, 55, on July 25. O’Neill is best known for his run on JACK FM (CJAQ-FM) mornings in Calgary, alongside co-host Eric Francis. “The Matt and Eric Show” started airing in May 2003, shortly after the station’s launch, running for 12 years before its cancellation in 2015. O’Neill was vocal about his struggles with both mental health and alcoholism, and returned to the morning show two years later alongside Sarah Crosbie where he opened up on-air about his personal life after getting sober. O’Neill, who moved to Calgary in 2000, formerly spent five years at Mix 99.9 (CKFM-FM) Toronto, in addition to stints at CKNS Espanola, among other stations. He was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024.

The post Sign Offs appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.