Radio polls | 98.5 FM remains at the top despite the changes

A wind of change may have blown across all radio stations this fall, but one thing has remained unchanged: the domination of 98.5 FM in Montreal.

According to the latest Numéris probe, which covers the period from August 29 to November 27, the Cogeco antenna continues to sit at the top of the list of the most popular stations in French-speaking Greater Montreal with 23.9 market shares. , down slightly by 4.4% compared to autumn 2021.

The 98.5 FM schedule has undergone two major changes in recent months. Since the start of the school year, Luc Ferrandez has been hosting Without reservationthe midday program which succeeds Drainville PMand Elisabeth Crête replaces Paul Houde at the helm of weekend morning shows with Chantal Lamarre.

98.5 FM is ahead of its eternal rival, ICI Première, which has 16.6 market shares, up 8% compared to last year. Several new shows have joined the public broadcaster’s schedule this season, such as The day (is still young), There will always be culture with Emilie Perreault and Everything can happen with Marie-Louise Arsenault.

Rhythm FM speed up the tempo

As for music stations, Rythme FM is increasing its influence with 13.5 market shares, a substantial increase of 23% compared to last year. It is widening the gap with Rouge, which remains neutral with 6.9 market shares.

For its part, the fight between CKOI and Energy is extremely close. Due to a 10% decline compared to 2021, CKOI ends the fall season with 8.1 market share, just behind Energy, with 8.2 market share. Bell Media’s antenna has experienced the opposite fate in recent months, recording an increase of 10.8%.

We should also point out the progress of the stations ICI Musique (+26% for 5.9 market share) and WKND (+58% for 1.9 market share), while BPM Sports stagnated at 0.8 market share.

Finally, the start of work on the Louis-Hyppolyte-La Fontaine tunnel no doubt explains the increase in Radio Circulation traffic (+50%), which now boasts 0.3 market share.