Radio Ratings: Three-Way Tie for First Place in February

In February, Clear Channel pulled off a hat trick at No. 1 in the Los Angeles radio Arbitron ratings. Adult contemporary KOST, hot AC KBIG and top 40 KIIS (all owned by Clear Channel), split a three-way tie for a 5.2% (each) share of the persons 12+ listening audience.

Granted, the 12+ measurement isn't actually sold to advertisers, and is more bragging rights than anyone else. Still, not a bad showing for the radio behemoth out here.

In fourth: KPWR "Power 106" (4.6 share), while KRTH "K-Earth 101" and KAMP "Amp Radio" tied for fifth (4.4 share).

It was a great month for Power 106, which also averaged its best numbers in at least a year among adults 18-34 (8.5 share). KIIS was solo tops with listeners 25-54.

Meanwhile, in the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. morning drive competition, KROQ's Kevin & Bean dominated in listeners 12+ (5.7) and 25-54 (7.8). KIIS' Ryan Seacrest was second in both measurements, but was No. 1 with listeners 18-34 (7.1 share).

RADIO RATINGS: Without Rush Limbaugh, KFI Fluctuates

The January 2014 Los Angeles Arbitron ratings are in, and with the holidays completely out of the way, Clear Channel's hot AC KBIG-FM ("104.3 My FM") is back at No. 1, averaging a 5.5% share of the Los Angeles market radio audience over 12. KIIS-FM (102.7) is No. 2 (5.0 share), while KOST-FM (103.5) -- the leader during the holidays -- is back down to earth, in third (4.7 share). Rounding out the top 10: KPWR "Power 106" (4.1); top 40 KAMP ("97.1 Amp Radio") is next, with 4.0; KRTH-FM ("K-Earth 101") with a 3.9; KROQ (3.7); Spanish KLVE-FM (3.4) and KNX (3.3).

KBIG was also No. 1 with adults 25-54 (5.9 share), followed by KIIS and KROQ. KIIS was tops with 18-34 (8.1 share), then KPWR and KBIG.

In morning drive, KROQ's "Kevin and Bean Show" was off to a good start for 2014, winning in listeners 12+ (5.4 share) and 25-54 (7.7 share).

Without Rush Limbaugh for the first time in years, KFI nonetheless managed to hold its own in morning drive, coming in second among listeners 12+ (4.4). But interestingly, it crumbled with adults 25-54 (1.9, tied for 20th place -- compared to 3.7 share as recently as November, in sixth place) while gaining with adults 18-34 (1.6, tied for 23rd place).

Also having a good month: KPWR's Big Boy, who finished in No. 1 for morning drive among adults 18-34 (7.0 share). That's his best showing in recent memory.

Local Media Notes: El Mandril Disappears, and Carlos Amezcua Exits

Where's El Mandril? Ricardo 'El Mandril' Sanchez, the morning host on KLAX-FM ("97.9 La Raza"), hasn't been on the air since last month, and the Los Angeles Times investigates why:

Sanchez's manager, Fernando Schiantarelli, said Monday that Sanchez was pulled from the air during negotiations over his employment contract, which ends next month.

But Schiantarelli also confirmed, as did other industry sources, that Sanchez's show has been the subject of an investigation by research giant Nielsen, which acquired radio ratings firm Arbitron in late September, into allegations of ratings tampering.

"There was an investigation raised by some other competitors who were very concerned that Mandril was being so successful," Schiantarelli said, adding that such investigations — and complaints from rivals — are not uncommon in the industry. He said the investigation didn't turn up anything.

Allegations have been raised that members of Arbitron's audience panel had been contacted by people connected to Sanchez's show and encouraged to listen to his program, a violation of Arbitron's and Nielsen's practices.

A Nielsen representative said the company had no comment on its investigation, adding, "Nielsen Audio is committed to the highest standards of integrity in our data and our panels."

A KLAX programming executive also confirmed that Sanchez's program was taken off the air because of an investigation. The executive referred The Times to top company executives who did not return repeated calls for comment Monday.

Schiantarelli said a top SBS executive told the janitor-turned-radio star to show up to work every day but sit around "doing nothing."

Carlos Amezcua is out at KTTV/Fox 11 after five years as the station's 10 p.m. co-anchor (with Christine Devine). TV Spy has the details:

Kevin Hale, vice president and general manager of KTTV told staffers this evening about Amezcua’s departure. “After more than five years on KTTV’s Fox 11 10 p.m. News, Carlos Amezcua has decided to step down from the news desk to expand his own media and technology company, “Carlos Media Corp.” here in Los Angeles, said Hale. “Having won over 10 Emmy’s throughout his career, Amezcua has made many contributions to this community, as well our newsroom. We wish him continued success in building his own media and technology firm.”

PREVIOUSLY ON FRANKLIN AVENUE:

BREAKING NEWS: Carlos Amezcua In, John Beard Out at Fox 11 (September 4, 2007)

November L.A. Radio Ratings: KBIG, El Mandril Still No. 1

Stop me if you've heard this one before: KBIG-FM ended November as the No. 1 radio station in Los Angeles, while KLAX's "El Mandril" was the No. 1 morning drive time host. (This will all change as the holidays put KOST once again in the pole position.)

In November, among listeners 12+, KBIG was tops with 5.3 percent share of the audience, followed by KIIS (5.1), KRTH "K-Earth" (4.3), KPWR "Power 106" (4.2) and KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.1).

Among persons 18-34, KIIS and KPWR were tied for first, with a 7.9 share, followed by KBIG (6.5). In the persons 25-54 demo, KBIG (6.0) led, then KIIS (5.0) and KROQ (4.5).

In morning drive, El Mandril led with listeners 12+ (5.4), 18-34 (8.8) and 25-54 (6.9), continuing his streak that began this summer (although his ratings are starting to cool off). KROQ's Kevin and Bean were a solid No. 2 in listeners 12+ (5.1), 18-34 (7.3) and 25-54 (6.8). KFI was no. 3 in listeners 12+ (5.0), while KIIS' Ryan Seacrest was No. 3 with 18-34 (6.8) and KBIG was No. 3 in 25-54 (4.6).

October L.A. Radio Arbitrons: KBIG Back On Top

Clear Channel's hot AC KBIG-FM "My FM" dropped to a 5.3% share of the Los Angeles market listening audience (12+) in October, from a 5.6% in September. But it was still good enough to lead the market, as KBIG has been in the No. 1 or No. 2 spot for the entire year. Not bad.

In second was top 40 KIIS (5.2%, down from 5.8% in September), followed by a surging oldies KRTH "K-Earth" (4.3%, up from 4.1%), then AC KOST-FM (4.2%, unchanged) and top 40 KAMP-FM "Amp Radio" (4.1%, down from 4.2).

KBIG was also tops with adults 25-54 (6.0%), followed by KIIS (5.2%); KIIS led with adults 18-34 (8.2%), followed by KPWR "Power 106" (8.0%).

Among public radio stations, classical KUSC (2.2%) edged out KPCC (2.1%) for the first time this year.

In the morning drive race, KLAX-FM's El Mandril continued his streak at No. 1 for the fifth month in a row (5.6%), although he was down from September (6.9%). In second was KFI's Bill Handel/Rush Limbaugh combo (5.0%, up from 4.1%), with KROQ's Kevin & Bean in third (4.8%), then KIIS' Ryan Seacrest (4.4%) and KRTH's Gary Bryan (4.0%).

El Mandril also led listeners 18-34 (9.8%) and 25-54 (6.6%). Kevin & Bean were second in 25-54 (6.4%), while Seacrest was second with 18-34 (7.0%).

August L.A. Radio Arbitron Ratings: KLAX's El Mandril Widens His Morning Lead

El Mandril is still king of the morning. The rise of the KLAX-FM morning host to the top spot in Los Angeles' Arbitron drive-time report is apparently not a fluke. In August, El Mandril was once again No. 1 (for the third month in a row), and this time he pulled off a hat trick: No. 1 with listeners 12+ (6.2 share), persons 18-34 (10.2 share) and persons 25-54 (7.7 share).

After that, KFI's Bill Handel/Rush Limbaugh combo and KROQ's Kevin & Bean tied for No. 2 in listeners 12+ (5.0), followed by a tie (4.0 share) between KSCA "La 101.9" (which, it appears, hasn't yet replaced fired host Eddie "Piolin" Soetelo) and KNX's morning news show. That's the best showing for KNX in a long time.

In persons 18-34, KBUE-FM "Que Buena" host Don Cheto was No. 2 (6.4), while Kevin & Bean were No. 2 with listeners 25-54 (6.9).

In total day ratings, KBIG-FM was once again No. 1 with listeners 12+ (5.8 share), followed by KIIS (5.2), KOST (4.5), KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.3) and KPWR "Power 106" (4.0).

Among listeners 25-54, KBIG was also No. 1 (6.5), followed by KIIS (5.3). KIIS was tops with listeners 18-34 (7.7), then Power 106 (7.6).

L.A. Radio Ratings: The Return of Spanish Radio Dominance? And What's Happening to KFI?

For a second month in a row, KLAX-FM's "El Mandril" locked the No. 1 spot in morning drive among listeners over the age of 12, as well as in the persons 18-34 demo. He was No. 2 with listeners 25-54. Not bad for a morning show that was ranked No. 13 as recently as the end of December.

Also on the rise: KSCA-FM, which rose dramatically in July -- in part thanks to the controversy surrounding the firing of host Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, who was removed from the show on July 22. In his final month on the air, Piolin rose to fourth place in mornings (and No. 3 with 25-54), having been in 12th place as recently as January.

But Piolin had already been back on the rise in 2013, having jumped from a 3.0 share in January to a 4.2 in April. (Which is why it was clear he wasn't removed for ratings reasons -- and allegations of sexual harassment have emerged.) Have listening habits changed that much over the past seven months? Much more likely, a change in the makeup Arbitron's local roster of Personal People Meter (PPM) users has brought in a few more listeners more likely to listen to Spanish-language radio.

Perhaps the new panel has also lost a few older listeners, as news/talk KFI has seen its share of listeners also tumble. The morning mix of Bill Handel and Rush Limbaugh is still No. 2 overall, but at a 4.9 share-- much smaller than the 8.1 share from August 2012 (granted, during a busy election cycle). The change is much more noticable in KFI's 6 a.m. to midnight listenership: In July, the station averaged a 3.2 share, putting it in a tie for 11th place. As recently as April, KFI was in fourth place, with a 4.3 share.

In morning drive, after KLAX (5.5) and KFI (4.9), KROQ's "Kevin & Bean Show" was third, with a 4.8 share, followed by KSCA (4.4) and KIIS' Ryan Seacrest in fifth (4.0). Among listeners 25-54, KROQ is No. 1 (6.8), followed by KLAX (6.5), KSCA (4.7), KIIS (4.6) and a tie between KBIG's Valentine and KBUE's "Don Cheto" (4.5).

Overall, from 6 a.m. to midnight, KBIG continued its winning streak with listeners 12+ (5.3), followed by KIIS (5.1), KOST (4.6), KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.4) and KPWR "Power 106" (4.2). With listeners 25-54, KBIG led (5.7), then KIIS (5.2), KROQ (4.5) and a tie between KSCA and KAMP (4.1).

L.A. Radio Ratings: Meet Los Angeles' New No. 1 Morning Host

There's a new king of the morning airwaves in Los Angeles. KFI, KROQ and KIIS have been competing for the morning drive crown over the past few years, but in June a surprise comer beat them all: Ricardo 'El Mandril' Sanchez, the morning host on KLAX-FM ("97.9 La Raza").

In the just-completed June 2013 Arbitron book for Los Angeles, KLAX's El Mandril was first among listeners 12+, with a 5.2% share of the audience. KFI's Bill Handel (5.1), KROQ's Kevin & Bean (4.9) and KIIS-FM's Ryan Seacrest (4.6) followed. Kevin & Bean won the money demo -- the important 25-54 crowd -- with a 6.8% share, while El Mandril was also tops with the young folks 18-34 (8.0% share).

El Mandril's surge began in May, when he rocketed to No. 4 in listeners 12+ and No. 2 with persons 25-54. During the holidays, he had dropped as low as No. 13. But clearly he must be doing something right. I asked the folks at KLAX owners SBS if a strategic marketing campaign or a big contest fueled the surge, but they wouldn't say.

"It's not just one thing that the Mandril team has done but a long trajectory of grass roots, humanitarian and good will efforts backed by a sense of humor that has helped propel him to #1," says Eric Osuna, vice president sales at SBS.

Meanwhile, in the overall 6 a.m. to midnight ratings, KBIG "My 104.3" continued its winning streak with listeners 12+, landing at No. 1 for the fourth time in five months (5.5% share). KIIS (5.4) was second, then KOST and KAMP "Amp Radio" tied for third (4.2), followed by KPWR "Power 106" (3.9), KFI (3.8), KRTH "K-Earth" (3.8), KROQ (3.5), Spanish KSCA "LA 101.9" (3.5) and KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.4).

KBIG was also No. 1 with adults 25-54 (6.2), then KIIS (5.8), KROQ (4.3), KAMP (4.2), and KSCA (4.1). KIIS dominated adults 18-34 (8.3), then KPWR (7.2), KAMP (6.2), KBIG (5.7) and Spanish KBUE "Que Buena 105.5" (5.3).

As for El Mandril, he seems to be having quite a good time:

March Arbitrons: Ryan Seacrest Gets a "10"

What's the deal with Ryan Seacrest? His KIIS-FM morning show posted a 10 share this March among listeners aged 18-34, the first double-digit share in the demo over at least the last year. That made him easily No. 1 among young adults. KROQ's Kevin & Bean dominated the money demo, adults 25-54, with a 7.5 share of the audience. And in listeners 12+, KFI's Bill Handel was No. 1 (thanks to his older audience).

In total day ratings, KIIS-FM also reclaimed the No. 1 spot among persons 12+, with a 5.7 share, followed by KBIG "My 104.3" (5.4), KOST-FM (4.6), KFI-AM (4.3), KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.0, its best showing in a year), KPWR "Power 106" (3.9), KRTH "K-Earth 101" (3.7), KROQ-FM (3.4), KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.3) and KSCA (3.2, its best in a year).

KIIS was also No. 1 in 18-34 (9.3), while KBIG was No. 1 with 25-54 (6.2).

February Arbitron Ratings: KBIG Goes Big

I can't remember the last time hot AC KBIG "My 104.3" was No. 1, but there it is in the February local Arbitron book, winning the persons 12+ crown with a 5.4 share of the listening audience. KBIG has been either No. 2 or 3 throughout the last year, so a move to No. 1 was inevitable -- but to do so, it had to climb over Clear Channel sibling KIIS, which has been No. 1 for most of the last year (with the exception of the months when KOST airs Christmas music).

KBIG did it by easily winning the persons 25-54 audience (No. 1 with a 5.9 share) and coming in a solid No. 4 with persons 18-34 (where KIIS is still No. 1).

The rest of the top ten: top 40 KIIS (5.1), AC KOST (4.9) talker KFI (4.7), classic hits KRTH "K-Earth" (3.9), top 40 KAMP "Amp Radio" (3.8) hip-hop KPWR "Power 106" (3.6), urban oldies KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.3), all-news KNX (3.2), alternative KROQ (3.2).

In morning drive, KFI is back at No. 1 among listeners 12+ (6.0), followed by KROQ's Kevin & Bean (5.1) and KIIS' Ryan Seacrest (4.9). Kevin & Bean are tops with 25-54 and No. 2 with 18-34, while Seacrest wins 18-34 and is No. 2 with 25-54.

Holiday 2012 Arbitron Ratings: KOST's Christmas Creams The Competition

Santa was very, very good to KOST-FM this holiday season. The station's all-Christmas music format once again dominated Arbitron's Holiday 2012 ratings book in Los Angeles, averaging a 10.1 share of all audiences 12+. The station was also No. 1 with persons 25-54 (9.6 share) and No. 2 (behind KIIS) with persons 18-34.

It was a nice jump for KOST over holiday 2011, when the station was tops with an 8.4 share. (KOST was also No. 1 in the December 2012 book -- as its Christmas format starts by mid-November.) As a matter of fact, this is the best Holiday showing for KOST in recent memory: It posted a 9.3 share in holiday 2010 and an 8.1 share in holiday 2009. Apparently no one's tired yet of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You." (You should be. But that's a debate for a different time.)

Among listeners 12+, here's the rest of the top ten for holiday 2012: KIIS-FM (5.3 share, up from 4.0 share during holiday 2011); KBIG "My 104.3" (4.8, up from 3.5); KTWV "The Wave" (4.1, up from 3.8); KFI-AM (3.8, down from 4.7); KRTH "K-Earth 101" (3.5, up from 3.3); KPWR "Power 106" (3.5, down from 4.4); KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.4, up from 2.8); KROQ (3.3, up from 2.7); and KAMP "Amp Radio 97.1" (3.2, down from 4.1).

In the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. morning drive race, KOST's Christmas music (hosted by "Mark and Kristin") dominated among listeners 12+ (8.2 share). That was followed by KFI's Bill Handel/Rush Limbaugh (5.6), KIIS' Ryan Seacrest (4.8), KROQ's Kevin & Bean (4.7) and KBIG's Valentine (4.4).

Kevin & Bean were tops with persons 18-34, followed by Seacrest. Mark & Kim led the 25-54 race, followed by Kevin & Bean.

Meanwhile, also-ran AM talker KABC -- which dipped down to a 0.9 and literally gets a 0 share among 18-34 year olds, is once again under new leadership as Drew Hayes (who once ran the station here but has more recently been at Chicago's WLS) returns to shake things up.

Nic Harcourt Moves to Mornings on KCSN

Morning is about to become Harcourt again. Former KCRW music director and "Morning Becomes Eclectic" host Nic Harcourt, who moved to Cal State Northridge's KCSN in 2011 (leaving his old station under not-so-good terms), is taking over the morning 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. shift at the station.

KCSN has really improved its sound over the past year, focusing more on new indie rock music and artists and toning down the classic rock. Nothing wrong with classic rock, but if KCSN ever wants to develop a loyal and younger following, it needed to start playing more currents. Program director Sky Daniels smartly brought in former Indie 103.1 music director Mark Sovel ("Mr. Shovel") as music director.

Unfortunately, and this is something I learned while at KCSN, the station's signal is limited in the L.A. area -- and as much as the station is trying to improve its signal into more of the city proper, they're hampered by another station (Saddleback College's KSBR, in Mission Viejo) that shares the 88.5 FM frequency. It's that limited listening area that often keeps KCSN out of the Arbitron ratings -- although more of late, the station has at least shown up with a 0.1 rating.

The L.A. Times talked to Harcourt about his new gig:

"There's no doubt there's a whole generation of millennials, or whatever you wish to call them, who barely listen to radio or didn't grow up listening to it at all," Harcourt, 55, said a few days before jumping into a program that will have him behind the microphone from 6 to 11 a.m. every weekday. "They have friends who are turning them onto new music — it's a completely different situation. It might be a little better here in L.A. because kids have to be driven everywhere and their parents have the radio on."

Read the full story here.

September Arbitron Ratings: KIIS-FM Stays on Top

The kids may be back in school, but top 40 KIIS-FM is still No. 1 among listeners 12 and over. According to the Los Angeles market Arbitron ratings for September, KIIS led the pack with a 5.1 share of the audience (down from 5.3 in August), followed by hot AC KBIG "My FM" (5.0, up from 4.8), talk KFI (5.0, unchanged), AC KOST (4.7, up from 4.3), classic hits KRTH "K-Earth" (4.2, up from 4.0), hip-hop KPWR (3.9, down from 4.2), alternative KROQ (3.4, up from 3.3), top 40 KAMP "Amp Radio" (3.4, down from 3.5), jammin' oldies KHHT "Hot" (3.4, down from 3.5) and Spanish KLVE (3.1, down from 3.4). KPCC was again tops among public stations (2.0 share)

Among listeners 25-54, KBIG was first, followed by KIIS, KROQ, KOST and KPWR. In listeners 18-34, KPWR was by far the leader, then KIIS, KROQ, KBIG and KAMP.

In morning drive, KFI was again tops among listeners 12+, thanks to its older audience. The talk station averages a 7.5 share, followed by KROQ's Kevin and Bean (5.0), KIIS' Ryan Seacrest (4.5), KOST's Mark and Kristin (4.0) and KBIG's Valentine (3.9).

But in the key money demos, Kevin and Bean dominate at No. 1 among both listeners 18-34 and with listeners 25-54. KPWR's Big Boy is No. 2 with listeners 18-34, while Seacrest is No. 2 with listeners 25-54.

August Arbitron Ratings: Big Month for KIIS-FM and Kevin & Bean

The summer of KIIS-FM continues, as the top 40 powerhouse ended August once again in first place, according to Arbitron portable people meter data. Among persons 12+, KIIS posted a 5.5 share of the Los Angeles market audience, unchanged from July and June. Hot AC KBIG ("My 104.3") was in second, with a 4.9 share, followed closely by talker KFI-AM (4.8) and AC KOST-FM (4.3). All four top stations are owned by Clear Channel.

Rounding out the top ten: Hip-hop KPWR (Power 106), classic hits KRTH "K-Earth 101" (3.9), top 40 KAMP-FM "Amp Radio" (3.8), oldies KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.6, a big jump from 3.0), Spanish KLVE (3.3) and alternative KROQ (3.3).

Among the public stations, KPCC dipped to a 1.6, while KUSC (1.1, up from 0.9) and KCRW (1.0, up from 0.7) saw gains.

In morning drive, KROQ's Kevin & Bean dominate in every demo, garnering an 8.9 share with persons 18-34, a dominant first place win over No. 2, KPWR's Big Boy (6.2). KIIS' Ryan Seacrest is third (5.2). (By the way, among listeners 18-34, the race has gotten tight between rival top 40 morning show hosts -- and rival TV singing competition hosts -- Seacrest and Carson Daly.)

Kevin & Bean are also a clear No. 1 with adults 25-54 (7.5), ahead of KFI's Bill Handel (4.9). Handel's older audience is big enough that KFI wins overall with persons 12+ in the morning.

July 2012 Radio Ratings: KIIS Leads and KBIG Soars

It continues to be top 40 radio's time to shine, and Clear Channel's KIIS-FM is riding the wave -- once again leading the Los Angeles market for the month of July 2012, with a 5.5 share (unchanged from June).

But hot on KIIS' tail is sister Clear Channel adult contemporary KBIG ("My FM") 104.3, which continues its amazing rise to second place, with a 5.2 share. Then there's Clear Channel talker KFI-AM in third (4.7 share) and surging KPWR ("Power 106"), up to a 4.3 share.

Other stations enjoying a good July were KOST (4.1) and KAMP ("Amp Radio") (4.0). KROQ led the alternative fight (thanks in part to Kevin & Bean in the mornings), averaging a 3.1 share (up from 2.7) vs. KYSR "98.7 FM" (2.4). Among public broadcasters, KPCC-FM led with a 1.7 share, but that was a dip from 2.0.

Check out the full Arbitron rankings over at Radio-Info, but keep in mind, as always, that these total listener numbers aren't used to sell the stations' ad time, but are pretty much just for bragging rights.

Holiday 2011 Arbitron Ratings: Amp Pulls Upset Over KIIS

The Los Angeles area Arbitron ratings for the holiday 2011 period (December 8 - January 4) are out, and no surprise: KOST, which dominates the holidays with its all-Christmas format, is once again a strong #1 (with an 8.5 share of the listening audience and a cume of 4.3 million listeners).

But that's not the big news of the holiday 2011 book. For the first time since CBS Radio flipped its FM Talk 97.1 station in 2009 to top 40 KAMP-FM "Amp Radio," the station (with a 4.5 share) has beat Clear Channel's L.A. top 40 radio titan KIIS-FM (4.0 share).

Even urban KPWR-FM (Power 106) beat KIIS, tying KAMP and AM talker KFI with a 4.5 share as well.

Amp Radio had been creeping up on KIIS for some time. In November, KIIS beat KAMP with a 5.0 share vs. a 3.9 share. But in December, KIIS' lead (4.4) was razor thin over KAMP (4.3).

Meanwhile, with the first year of its own wall-to-wall Christmas music format, KTWV-FM "The Wave" averaged a decent 3.7 share, up from 2.6 in December. KRTH "K-Earth" took a hit, dropping to a 3.2 share as its rivals went all-Christmas.

Despite its leadership, KOST took a bit of a holiday haircut this year, now that it has a rival in The Wave. Its 8.5 share was dominant, but down from 9.3 in holiday 2010 (but still up from an 8.1 share in holiday 2009).

Check out the full Arbitron rankings over at Radio-Info, but keep in mind, as always, that these total listener numbers aren't used to sell the stations' ad time, but are pretty much just for bragging rights.

L.A. Radio October Arbitron Ratings: KFI Jumps to No. 1

All-talk KFI-AM enjoyed a stellar October, leaping over KIIS-FM to land the No. 1 spot in L.A. radio among listeners 6 and older. The station averaged a 5.6 share in the market, up from a 5.3 share in September and 4.9 in August.

KFI is owned by Clear Channel, as is top 40 KIIS, which dipped to a 5.3 share, from 5.6 in September, moving to second place. Upstart rival KAMP "Amp Radio," owned by CBS Radio, was in third, with a 4.1 share. In the battle of the AC-ish stations, CBS' KRTH (3.9) now leads KOST (3.5) -- but get ready, once KOST brings back the Christmas music it will shoot to No. 1.

In other ratings, CBS Radio's all-news KNX-AM had a strong October, with a 3.3 share -- its best result in recent memory. KPCC was tops in public radio (2.2 share). And a slumping KABC-AM (0.9) tied the lesser-known KTLK.

August Arbitron Ratings: AMP Radio Pulls Closer to KIIS-FM

No surprise here: Top 40 KIIS-FM (102.7) continues to maintain its dominance of the Los Angeles radio market. The Clear Channel-owned radio station pulled an average 5.3% of the listeners 6+ during the month of August, according to the latest Arbitron ratings.

That was good enough for first place again. But the top 40 battle in L.A. continues to heat up, as CBS Radio-owned rival KAMP-FM "Amp Radio" (97.1) rose to a 4.4 share, winding up in third place. Talk radio KFI was second (4.9).

It was also a good book for Spanish Contemporary KLVE-FM, which jumped to fourth place with a 4.1 share.

In the market's other competitive battle, the adult contemporary game, KOST-FM (which just dropped longtime afternoon host Bryan Simmons) fell to a 4.0 share, trying it with rival classic hits KRTH "K-Earth," which also posted a 4.0 share.

KPCC was once again the market-leading public radio station, with a 2.2 share. KCRW continues its slide, to a 0.6.

L.A. Radio Arbitrons: KIIS Once Again Dominates

No surprise here: Top 40 KIIS-FM continues its lengthy reign at the top of the Los Angeles market Arbitron radio ranker, averaging 5.4% of the listening audience for the month of July. Talker KFI (4.7) was second, followed by adult contemporary KOST (4.6), once again giving Clear Channel the top three spots.

But right behind them are oldies KRTH (4.2) and top 40 KAMP (4.2), two CBS Radio stations looking to give Clear Channel's KOST and KIIS some competition.

In the public radio race, KPCC (2.1) has jumped ahead of classic KUSC (1.9), while KCRW dipped (0.8). Despite its format change, KCSN didn't register a rating in this book.

Check out the full radio ratings here.

L.A. Radio: KIIS Leads May Ratings

L.A. listeners continue to pucker up for a KIIS. The top 40 behemoth continued its non-Christmas No. 1 steak in May, averaging 5.4 percent of the No. 2 market's listening audience aged 6 and older.

Talker KFI-AM, meanwhile, appears to have benefited from the nation's partisan bickering, as the station jumped from a 4.3 in March to a 4.9 in May, good enough to maintain the second place spot among listeners.

That was followed by adult contemporary KOST (4.3), classic hits KRTH (4.0), top 40 KAMP (showing a healthy rise to 3.8, from 3.3 in March), Spanish KLVE (3.7), hot AC KBIG (3.7), rhythmic KPWR (3.5), classic rock KLOS (3.1) and news KNX (3.1).

Alternative continues to weaken, as KROQ and KYSR were both down. KUSC remains the top public station (1.7), followed by KPCC (1.4) and then KCRW (0.9).

As always, these standings are for pure bragging rights, but don't have business implications (as radio is sold by demo, not overall listening).