Oct 06, 2008
Graham Hicks
THIRD QUARTER BBM RADIO RATINGS

Here are the ratings of Edmonton's radio stations for the third quarter of 2008.

The share is a percentage of the total listeners in Greater Edmonton, a combination of number of listeners and hours listened.

The number in the brackets is the station's share, exactly one year ago.

1. The Bear, 11.6 share (11.6)
2. CHED, 9.7 (11.9)
3. CISN, 9.3 (6.3)
4. Bounce, 8.1 (6)
5. Capital FM, 6.8 (2.7)
6. 5. CFCW, 6.7 (5.7)
7. EZ Rock, 6.4 (8.4)
8. Sonic, 6.3 (6.3)
9. K-97, 5.7 (7.5)
10. CBC1, 5.6 (4.7)
11. JOE-FM, 5.1 (8.2)
12. CKUA, 3.9 (2.7)
13. Magic 99, 2.1 (3.0)
14. Team 1260, 1.8 (1.8
15. CBC2, 1.7 (2.8
16. iNews880 0.6 (3.3)

Huge jumps in ratings up or down are not to be trusted. The fact is these measurements are from only a few hundred people chosen at random, asked to keep track of their listening habits and then return the survey. Over three or four ratings periods, such anomalies almsot always balance out. It makes no sense, for instance, that CISN had a big drop in its ratings a year ago - then bounced right back.

Even so, Joe-FM has to be worried about its 3 point drop from last year. In May, the newly formatted Capital FM went after basically the same group of listeners as tune in to Joe, EZ Rock and to a lesser degree K-97.

Capital has more than doubled its numbers, with all the others showing declines. And that was before Capital reunited heritage jocks Audie Lynds and Rob Christie, who seem to have found the old Power 92 chemistry.

The Bounce has been growing steadily since it came on air in 2004, cultivating a teen/young adult audience. Mind you, the station has had the turf all to itself, and if the CRTC gives out another youth-oriented radio licence, those numbers may decrease.

Anomalies: Eclectic, listener-supported CKUA has never had a 3.9 share before. That number would have to stick through several ratings periods to be fully believed.

iNews 880 has to be seen in the context of a brand-new station. Last year's ratings were a mix of the old Cool 880 and the launch of iNews. They say news stations take years to build an audience, but once they tune in, they rarely leave.

Quoted from formerly_bobinedmonton

iNews 880 has to be seen in the context of a brand-new station. Last year's ratings were a mix of the old Cool 880 and the launch of iNews. They say news stations take years to build an audience, but once they tune in, they rarely leave.

Isn't iNews a newswheel?  That's a format designed for drop-in listening.  Get what you want, then get out.  The diary system is completely wrong for rating that kind of "download" listening.  PPM should see some gains for that kind of station, fractional drop-ins add up.  

Solid start for Capital, CISN seems really odd with the loss of their competition, The Bear continues to be huge, and Hicks really needs to check the Christie bias at the door.  Rob and Audie have found their Power chemistry again?  Sounds a little stale to me personally, we'll see how the next survey plays out as it will be the first since they actually hit the air on 96.3.

Hicks should realize that Capital's numbers here reflect the listenership of what he implied in one of his columns was a "no-name" morning show.  Jason and Kari should be proud! Success is the best Revenge.