3 min read
As the leaves turned and temperatures dropped across Canada this Fall, radio listening habits saw notable changes. From bustling cities to quiet neighbourhoods, Canadians continued to rely on AM/FM radio as a trusted companion throughout their day. The latest trends reveal not only a resurgence of in-home listening but also highlight how evolving routines and seasonal shifts are shaping the way people tune in to their favourite stations.
AM/FM Radio Reach in Canada
In-Home Listening Rises Across all Dayparts
This Fall, more listeners tuned in to the radio from the comfort of their own homes than last Fall. Every part of the day saw an uptick in in-home radio use, with the biggest jump during the breakfast period, up five percentage points! Even though out-of-home listening still led during Daytime and Drive times, in-home tuning climbed by two percentage points year-over-year, revealing a steady shift in how and where people enjoyed their favourite stations.
What may have been behind this change? Cooler weather and shorter days could have encouraged people to stay inside, cozying up with the radio. Plus, as hybrid work styles remained popular, more folks started their mornings or got through their work-from-home days with the radio playing in the background. It’s a trend that highlights how radio continues to fit seamlessly into our evolving routines, no matter where they were listening.
Coast-to-Coast Increase for In-Home Tuning
With the increase in in-home listening across the country compared to last year, how did this trend vary by market?
In the west, cities like Calgary and Vancouver still favour out-of-home listening, but both saw increases for in-home tuning – Calgary by three percentage points and Vancouver by seven. Montreal leads the way, with 64% of Anglophones and 60% of Francophones listening at home. In Toronto, radio habits are balanced between home and on-the-go, reflecting the city's mix of lifestyles.
Whether at home or out and about, radio continues to connect Canadians from coast to coast.
How Much Time Did Canadians Spend with Radio This Fall?
Canadians 12+ enjoyed about 8 hours of AM/FM radio each week, a 4% bump from last year’s Fall season. Montreal Franco listeners led the way at 9 hours, tuning in 7% more than last year, while Toronto residents also boosted their radio time by 7%. Western markets of Vancouver and Edmonton also saw an increase in hours at 3% and 2%, respectively, while listeners in Montreal Anglo kept their habits steady from last year. Calgary saw a slight dip, but overall, it’s clear radio still plays a big part in Canadians’ weekly routines.
Trends in Live Radio Streaming*
Streaming* to radio stations continues to be a popular choice for Canadians, with the trend gaining momentum across all major age groups. This Fall, live radio streaming* made up 10% of total AM/FM radio listening for Canadians 12+, while A18-34 and A25-54 demographics were slightly higher at 11% and 13%, respectively.
AM/FM Live Radio Streaming* Weekday vs Weekend Listening
Taking a deeper look at how the average Canadian listener is streaming radio throughout the day, there’s a clear difference between weekday and weekend habits. On weekdays, listeners are most likely to stream in the early morning, accounting for about 16% of radio listening during that period, and it really peaks at 7:30 AM. After that, streaming gradually tapers off as the day goes on and into the evening.
Weekends tell a slightly different story. Streaming is still most popular in the morning, with the biggest surge at 9:00 AM. But unlike weekdays, streaming levels rise and fall throughout the day, and there was even a noticeable jump around midnight in Fall 2025. So, whether it’s a busy workday morning or a late-night weekend session, Canadian listeners are finding their own rhythm with radio streaming!
The radio listening landscape in Canada during Fall 2025 highlights the enduring appeal of AM/FM radio across all age groups and throughout the day. Canadians continue to embrace radio as a source of entertainment and connection, whether tuning in over the air or via live streaming.
This flexibility reflects how radio continues to fit seamlessly into Canadians’ lives, offering accessible audio content for every schedule and lifestyle. Radio’s reach and influence remain strong, uniting communities from coast to coast —anytime and anywhere.
Source: Numeris Radio PPM, Total Meter CTRL, Fall 2023/Fall 2024/Fall 2025 (Weeks 1-13), Mo-Su 2a-2a, Mo-Fr 5a-1a, SS 5a-1a, 12+/A18-34/A25-54, AMA(000), AvWkCume(%), AvHoursWk(Lis)
*Disclosure: AM/FM Live Streaming includes listening on personal computers, smartphones, tablets, smart speaker, etc. The Numeris radio meter service measures the internet stream of member stations separate from their over the air signal. The live internet stream is identical in programming content.