Radio Ratings: Big January for KOST, KIIS, "Omar y Argelia" and "Kevin & Bean"

KOST-FM continued to enjoy a Christmas halo in January.

The station's annual all-Christmas format was a huge hit during the holidays, pulling a staggering 12.1 share of all Los Angeles radio listeners at the end of December. Christmas may be long gone, but listeners were still tuning into KOST way into January, giving it the No. 1 slot among listeners over the age of 12 (with a 5.9 share).

According to Nielsen's January radio ratings, top 40 KIIS-FM was No. 1 throughout the day with listeners 18-34 (8.0 share) and adults 25-54 (5.4 share).

In morning drive, Spanish-language KLVE's Omar y Argelia won overall, while KROQ's Kevin & Bean were tops in the key 25-54 demo. What's more, KROQ's Internet stream of Kevin & Bean also posted strong numbers -- so much more, that if you add the show's over-the-air and web numbers together, the show would be No. 3 overall (with a 4.5 share), and command an even more dominant 6.9 share with adults 25-54.

In public radio, our friends at KCRW led everyone with a strong 2.2 share.

Here are the top radio stations in January among listeners 12+:
1. KOST-FM (5.9 share)
2. KRTH-FM "K-Earth" (4.7)
3. KIIS-FM (4.6)
4. KBIG-FM "My FM" (4.5)
5. KLVE-FM "K-Love" (4.4)
6. KTWV-FM "The Wave" (4.2)
7. KRCD-FM "Recuerdo" (3.5)
tie. KCBS-FM "Jack FM" (3.5)
9. KNX-AM (3.3)
tie. KFI-AM (3.3)


25-54:
1. KIIS (5.4)
2. KBIG (5.0)
3. KLVE (4.8)
tie. KOST (4.8)
5. KCBS (4.0)
tie. KRTH (4.0)

Here are the top stations in morning drive among listeners 12+:
1. KLVE-FM "K-Love"/Omar y Argelia (5.3 share)
2. KOST-FM/Ellen K. (4.7)
3. KFI-AM/Bill Handel (4.4)
4. KIIS-FM/Ryan Seacrest (4.1)
5. KRTH "K-Earth"/Gary Bryan (4.0)
6. KNX-AM/Dick Helton and Vicky Moore (3.8)
tie. KROQ-FM/Kevin & Bean (3.8)
8. KTWV "The Wave"/Pat Prescott (3.6)
tie. KBIG "My FM"/Valentine (3.6)
10. KSCA "LA 101.9"/"El Bueno, La Mala y El Feo" (3.1)

25-54:
1. KROQ (5.6)
2. KLVE (5.2)
3. KIIS (4.7)
4. KBIG (3.8)
tie. KSCA (3.8)

L.A. Radio Ratings: K-Earth Extends Domination to Mornings in November

L.A. likes its classic hits.

According to Nielsen's November radio ratings, KRTH "K-Earth 101" has now extended its lead as the No. 1 radio station in Los Angeles for the fourth month in a row. KRTH has also extended its dominance to mornings, where Gary Bryan's show was No. 1 in the daypart among listeners 12 and older (and in the key listeners 25-54 demo).

Meanwhile, top 40 KIIS-FM was No. 1 throughout the day with listeners 18-34 (8.1 share) and KBIG "My FM" (104.3) with No. 1 with adults 25-54 (5.6 share).

It was also a strong month for our pals at KCRW, which jumped ahead of competitor KPCC for the first time in recent memory (1.9 share vs. 1.8 share).



In morning drive, here are the top shows among listeners 12+:
1. KRTH "K-Earth"/Gary Bryan (5.7 share)
2. KLVE "K-Love"/Omar y Argelia (5.0)
3. KFI-AM/Bill Handel (4.8)
4. KBIG "My FM"/Valentine (4.6)
5. KIIS/Ryan Seacrest (4.5)
6. KROQ/Kevin & Bean (4.1)
TIE. KNX-AM/Dick Helton and Vicky Moore (4.1)
8. KOST/Ellen K (3.9)
9. KTWV "The Wave"/Pat Prescott (3.6)
10. KCBS "Jack FM"/Music (3.4)

25-54:
1. KRTH (5.5)
2. KROQ (5.4)
3. KLVE (5.2)
4. KIIS (4.9)
5. KBIG (4.7)

Here are the top stations among listeners 12+:
1. KRTH "K-Earth" (5.7 share)
2. KBIG "My FM" (5.1)
3. KIIS (4.9)
TIE. KOST (4.9)
5. KTWV "The Wave" (3.9)
6. KLVE "K-Love" (3.8)
TIE. KCBS "Jack FM" (3.8)
8. KFI (3.8)
9. KSWD "The Sound" (3.4)
TIE. KNX (3.4)
25-54:
1. KBIG (5.6)
2. KRTH "K-Earth" (5.5)
TIE. KIIS (5.5)
4. KOST (4.6)
5. KLVE (4.2)

September Radio Ratings: Bill Handel, Ryan Seacrest, Kevin & Bean Lead Mornings

School's back, which means more people on the road-- and listening to morning drive radio. Big beneficiaries included KIIS-FM's Ryan Seacrest and KROQ's Kevin & Bean, both of which saw strong gains in their key listener demos.

According to Nielsen's September radio ratings, KFI's Bill Handel was No. 1 in the morning among listeners 12 and older (mostly thanks to the strength of listeners over 54), tied with KLVE's Omar y Argelia. But in top demos, it was Ryan Seacrest (No. 1 in persons 18-34, leaping to 9.2 share from a 7.9 in August) and Kevin & Bean (No. 1 in persons 25-54, jumping to a 5.6 share from a 5.0 in August) that experienced healthy moves.

In overall listenership (6 a.m. to midnight), KRTH "K-Earth 101" was No. 1 for a second month in a row with a 5.1 share of the listening audience age 12 and over.

Meanwhile, top 40 KIIS-FM was No. 1 with listeners 18-34 (9.2 share) and with 25-54 (5.5 share).

It was also a strong month for KCRW, posted its highest numbers in at least a year.



In morning drive, here are the top shows among listeners 12+:
1. KFI (5.1 share)
TIE. KLVE "K-Love" (5.1)
3. KRTH "K-Earth" (4.9)
4. KIIS (4.6)
5. KROQ (4.0)
6. KNX (3.9)
TIE. KBIG "My FM"(3.9)
8. KTWV "The Wave" (3.4)
9. KLYY "Jose FM" (3.3)
TIE. KOST (3.3)

25-54:
1. KROQ (5.6)
2. KLVE (5.3)
3. KIIS (4.9)
4. KRTH (4.3)
TIE. KBIG (4.3)

Here are the top stations among listeners 12+:
1. KRTH "K-Earth" (5.1 share)
2. KIIS (5.0)
3. KBIG "My FM" (4.8)
4. KOST (4.5)
5. KTWV "The Wave" (3.9)
6. KLVE "K-Love" (3.8)
7. KSWD "The Sound" (3.7)
8. KCBS "Jack FM" (3.6)
TIE. KFI (3.6)
10. KRCD (3.1)
TIE. KLAX (3.1)
TIE. KNX (3.1)
TIE. KAMP "Amp Radio" (3.1)

25-54:
1. KIIS (5.5)
2. KBIG (5.2)
3. KRTH "K-Earth" (4.9)
4. KOST (4.4)
TIE. KLVE (4.4)

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: 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).

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.