* TVA tops spring BBM

Reseau TVA (CFTM-TV) topped all-day viewing in this spring’s Sondages bbm survey with a 37 share of the extended Montreal viewing audience. tva reported the performance is its best since 1986.

Radio-Canada (CBFT-TV) had a 21 share of the all-day tv audience followed by Television Quatre Saisons (CFJP-TV) with an 11 share and provincial pubcaster Tele-Quebec (CIVM-TV) with a 2 share. tqs, however, has dismissed the new results, claiming bbm’s old, hand-reported results are out of date.

Spring highlights include a second-place finish for tqs on Sunday evenings, almost doubling its audience with a 16 share.

* Knowledge makes gains

According to the spring 1999 bbm report, the audience of b.c.’s Knowledge Network grew 34% over the same period in 1998. In all, the broadcaster reached more than 550,000 viewers per week during the ratings period.

Driving the growth is Knowledge Net’s preschool programming block called Kids First!, which is up 57% to more than 155,000 viewers per week. Kids First! airs between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and includes programs such as Teletubbies. The primetime (6-10 p.m.) slate is up 25% and reached more than 360,000 viewers. Staple programs in primetime include Dotto’s Data Cafe and Studio bc.