Numeris Overview: PPM Ratings - Fall 2025
With the release of today’s Fall PPM numbers, we are witnessing some very unusual figures and trends. Some are questionable. PPM markets will continue to live with low sample sizes. As a member of the BBM Radio Executive, I have witnessed the PPM approach as it was developed and implemented. It has always been challenging for the industry. It has affected the way radio is bought and sold.
Now, in terms of other forms of radio measurement, significant methodology changes are on the near horizon. 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. More about this in my column tomorrow.
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 formerly diary markets that were dropped by Numeris and left without measurement.
All of this will undoubtedly result in very significant further changes in the way radio is bought and sold. It is virtually impossible to think that one set of numbers will be directly comparable to the other methodologies. With all of the challenges that the radio medium has already been facing, this is not good news. It will also make it almost impossible to compare the past with the future easily.
All of this is further complicated by the fact that Numeris has, in recent times, been in a serious state of flux.
I should note that enhanced modelled data for headphone tuning is available in today’s release
With this book, radio retains an average weekly reach of 81% for Canadians A12+. In-home represents 53% of tuning. Out of home represents 47% 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 covers the thirteen weeks from Sept. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2025. Let’s look at the five PPM markets.
Toronto: Bragging rights at the top of the ratings heap go to CHFI, delivering a 10.7% share for A12+, followed closely by Q107 with 10.5%. CHUM-FM comes out on top for Females 25-54 with a 15.4 % share, closely followed by CHFI with 15.2%. For Males 25-54, Kiss 92.5 leads with a 12.2% share, followed by CHFI with 12.1%. The Edge is out in front for M18-34 with a 23.6 % followed by KISS 92.4 at 14.4%. Indie 88.1 is #1 for F18-34, topping the list at 16.3 % followed by CHFI with 15.2%.
Vancouver: CBC Radio, One grabs the #1 spot for A12+ with a 17.9% share of hours tuned (up from 15.7 %). Taking the top spot for F25-54 is 94.5 Virgin with an 18.0 % share (up from 16.7 %). Rock 101 holds the lead for M25-54 listeners, delivering an 11.8% share (down from 18.4%) followed by JR Country with 11.1%. Virgin is out in front for M18-34 with a 22.7 % share of hours tuned. When it comes to Females 18-34, Move 103.5 takes a lead with 17.4% share.
Edmonton: UP 99.3 takes #1 with A12+, posting a 12.2 % share of hours tuned. UP 99.3 holds top spot for F25-54, delivering a 25.1 % share (up from 21.7 %). KISS 91.7 tops the list for M25-54 with a 12.4 % share, closely followed by NOW with 12.3%. For M18-34, KISS 91.7 is out in front at 9.3 %. In a bizarre result for F18-34, UP 99.3 led with a 44.6% share.
Calgary: CBC Radio One leads the way for A12+ with a 19.3 % share (up from 17.4%). CBC Radio One is popular with females, taking #1 spot for F25-54 delivering a 12.8 % share followed by 102.5 Today Radio with 12.3%. For M 25-54, 90.3 Star 95.9 rules with a 9.8 % share of hrs. tuned. City news 660 is in the top spot for M18-34, delivering an 18.6%. Wild 95.3 tops F18-34 posting an 11.6 %.
Montreal: Radio Canada Premiere is #1 for A12+ (Franco) with a 23.8 % share (up from 20.2%). For A12+ (Anglo) CJAD 800 is #1 with a 33.1 % (up from 30.8 %). 107.3 Rouge is tops with females, taking #1 spot for F25-54 (Franco) delivering a 20.4 % share. For F25-54 (Anglo) the Beat 92.5 is out in front with a 22.0 % share (down from 26.5 %). For M25-54 (Franco), Radio Canada Premiere is on top at a 24.3 % share (up from 19.5%). For M25-54 (Anglo), The Beat is #1 at 18.9% (down from 21.9 %).