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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.

The stations were launched in the fall of 2018 with a goal to “fill the gap” for urban Indigenous listeners under-represented in the radio landscape. They carried an “Indigenous-variety” format, featuring both English and Indigenous-language spoken-word and musical programming, with 25% of the playlist dedicated to Indigenous talent.

“Since opening our doors in 2018, we have brought awareness of and support to Indigenous artists across Turtle Island, as well as amplify Indigenous voices in our communities,” First Peoples Radio wrote in a post to the stations’ websites on Friday. “While we still feel there is more work to do, work that we dearly wanted to do to highlight the amazing talent and potential of our communities, we are proud of the impact we have been able to make over the past seven years.”

Jean LaRose, Chairman of the Board of FPR and acting General Manager, told Broadcast Dialogue back in May that the stations’ future was in jeopardy. With the pandemic hitting just a year and three months into their operation and limited revenue opportunities, ELMNT FM was forced to cut its staff from 26 to six. LaRose said the stations had been relying on CRTC approval of an application by FPR to redirect $2 million in tangible benefits being paid out by Stingray Group to support FPR’s operations, however the commission denied that proposal.

Corus Radio had provided space for the stations in both markets within its existing radio studio facilities, while Bell had provided tower capacity.

The post ELMNT FM stations cease operations appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

The veteran Toronto music director and longtime boom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) music programmer joins Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast ahead of his retirement at the end of the summer.

Often credited with helping shape the sound of Toronto radio, the Broadcast Hall of Famer takes us behind the scenes of his 48-year career.

The post LISTEN: Veteran Toronto music programmer Wayne Webster appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.