Election helps CBC's Stephen Quinn become top dog of afternoon radio

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      The provincial election campaign wasn't only good to the B.C. Liberals.

      It probably also helped catapult CBC Radio One's On The Coast Show (88.1 FM, 690 AM) into the top-ranked spot in the April PPM ratings.

      For the first time, the show hosted by the often-amusing Stephen Quinn attracted the largest Vancouver audience between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., crushing CKNW Radio, News 1130, and QM FM.

      CBC Radio One's afternoon-drive show was lagging in eighth place when Quinn, a former municipal-affairs reporter, was tagged to become the host five years ago.

      Since then, he has tried to attract younger listeners with his music picks, some imaginative programming, and solid coverage of current issues.

      Quinn's absurd traffic banter with Lisa Christiansen also helps.

      CKNW Radio used to dominate this timeslot. But its loss of the Canucks broadcasting contract combined with an aging demographic has placed it farther back in the pack.

      Meanwhile, CBC Radio One's Early Edition, which is hosted by Rick Cluff, continues to lead among morning radio broadcasters in this market.

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