Despite an unprecedented breakthrough by ICI Première, 98.5 FM continues to dominate the airwaves, according to the latest radio polls in Francophone Greater Montreal.
Posted at 5:39 p.m.
With a share of 22.8%, the Cogeco antenna, which brings together hosts Paul Arcand, Bernard Drainville, Nathalie Normandeau and Patrick Lagacé, tops the ranking of the most listened to Montreal stations this winter, according to data. collected from November 29 to February 27.
It is ahead of ICI Première, which reached a new peak with a market share of 18.3%. This is the public broadcaster’s best result since the introduction of Numéris PPM surveys in 2008. Its previous mark was in the fall of 2020, with 15.6%.
The general manager of Radio, Audio and Greater Montreal of Radio-Canada, Caroline Jamet welcomes these polls with “a lot of emotion”, especially since with the pandemic, the last two years have not been easy.
“People did not work in easy conditions. So it’s very touching to receive results like that,” she said in a telephone interview.
The viewing time of ICI Première also jumped. French-speaking Montrealers tune in to the station an average of 7.2 hours per week, up 1.3 hours. “It means that they like what they listen to, observes Caroline Jamet. It’s a great sign. »
Fact to mention: 7 of the 10 most listened to programs in Greater French-speaking Montreal come from ICI Première, Noon info with Alec Castonguay (2and), See you next week (3and), Saturday and nothing else with Joel Le Bigot (4and), Facts first with Alain Gravel (6and), Desalts on Sunday (7and), All one morning with Patrick Masbourian (9and) and Penelope (10and).
As always, the most popular show belongs to 98.5 FM: Since you have to get up. Paul Arcand retains his title of king of the airwaves, all categories combined.
98.5 FM and ICI Première are well established at the head of the pack, talk radio is doing well. The pandemic has accentuated their lead over all French-speaking stations.
“People are thirsty for information, they are thirsty to understand the world in which we live, explains Caroline Jamet. Many of them discovered us during the pandemic. And they stayed with us. The effect persists. »
Rhythm leads the musical ball
As for music radio, Rythme FM maintains its lead with 12.5%. This is a decrease of 1.3 points compared to winter 2020-2021, but an increase of 1.5 points compared to last fall. It keeps its lead over Rouge, its big rival, which has a 6.7% share.
The fight is tightening between CKOI (7.6%) and Energy (7.1%), and ICI Musique harvests its best result ever with 5.4%.
After a difficult fall season, WKND bounced back with 2.1%. As for 91.9 Sports, its market share fell to 0.5%. The poor performance of the Montreal Canadiens, particularly in January, may explain this erosion.
Ranking of stations (listening shares)
- 1. 98.5FM: 22.8%
- 2. ICI Premiere: 18.3%
- 3. FM Rhythm: 12.5%
- 4. CKOI: 7.6%
- 5. Energy: 7.1%
- 6. Red: 6.7%
- 7. HERE Music: 5.4%
- 8. CHOM: 4.8%
- 9. The Beat: 4%
- 10. 95.9Virgin Radio: 3.3%
Source: Numeris PPM, from November 29 to February 27, French Montreal, All 2+