RIP Kobe Bryant: Los Angeles Radio Plays Tribute With a Moment of Silence

LA radio stations owned by Entercom, iHeart, Meruelo Media and others all went silent for one minute, eight seconds at noon today in tribute to late Lakers icon Kobe Bryant. If you moved across the dial at that time today, you heard mostly silence -- except on the iHeart stations, which cheated a bit by playing ambient sounds of birds instead of silence (above). (As others noted, iHeart went with the white noise in order to still register on Nielsen personal people meters).

Entercom stations, including KROQ, KRTH "K-Earth" and KAMP "Amp Radio" played a pre-taped tribute to Bryant, before the silence. After the minute of silence (or, "silence"), here's what the stations played:

KROQ: Green Day, "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"

K-EARTH: Eric Clapton, "Tears in Heaven"

ALT 98.7fm, Real 92.3, KIIS-FM: Puff Daddy [feat. Faith Evans & 112], "I'll Be Missing You"

104.3 MYfm: The Police, "Every Breath You Take"

February Los Angeles Radio Ratings: With No Big Boy at Power 106, Rivals See Gains

Power 106 is feeling the effects of losing Big Boy: In the February 2015 ratings book, among adults 18-34 KPWR-FM dropped from 2nd place (in January, with a 6.2 share) to 5th place (in February, with a 5.0 share) during morning drive, according to Nielsen Audio ratings.

That's the lowest Power's morning drive has ranked in its key demo for perhaps years. Big Boy, of course, exited Power last month and is now expected to show up shortly on the new "Real 92.3." Power owner Emmis is suing Big Boy, claiming it had a right to match a rival's offer, but that the personality refused.

The Big Boy void was good for both of L.A.'s top 40 stations, KIIS-FM and KAMP "Amp Radio." Ryan Seacrest on KIIS skyrocketed in the 18-34 demo, moving from a 7.7 share to a 9.0 share (first place). And Amp's Carson Daly jumped from a 3.8 to a 5.7 (second place). That could very well be Carson Daly's best-ever ranking in the young adult demo.

Across town, the changes at KROQ's Kevin & Bean (Lisa May and Doc on the Roq exits) didn't have much of an impact on ratings. The show was up in total viewers, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54.

At KSWD "The Sound," the arrival of Mark Thompson (formerly of Mark & Brian) in the mornings attracted more overall listeners, giving the station its best morning share in perhaps ever (4.0) among listeners 12+. But the station's 18-34 share dropped, which means most new listeners were on the older side.

In morning drive, here are the top shows among listeners 12+:

1. KRTH "K-Earth" (4.9 share)
2. KIIS (4.8)
TIE. KLVE (4.8)
4. KFI (4.6)
5. KNX (4.0)
TIE. KSWD "The Sound" (4.0)
7. KROQ (3.9)
TIE. KBIG "My FM" (3.9)
9. KOST (3.8)
10. KAMP "Amp Radio" (3.6)

25-54:

1. KIIS (9.0)
2. KROQ (5.2)
3. KLVE (5.2)
4. KBIG (4.0)
TIE. KOST (4.0)

In full-day ratings, sorry Art Laboe fans. IHeartMedia's flip of old school "Hot 92.3" (KHHT) to hip-hop "Real 92.3" (KRRL) seems to be working out. The new format is up big time in persons 18-34 (1.9 share to 3.2 share) and was steady in other demos.

The impact of Big Boy leaving KPWR seems to have also benefited KIIS -- which has its best 18-34 share (7.9) since last April, and KAMP, which also has its best 18-34 share (6.1) in at least a year.

Here are the top stations among listeners 12+:

1. KRTH (5.2 share)
TIE. KOST (5.2)
3. KIIS (5.0)
4. KBIG (4.9)
5. KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.0)
6. KLVE (3.9)
7. KSWD "The Sound" (3.8)
TIE. KCBS "Jack FM" (3.8)
9. KFI (3.5)
TIE. KPWR "Power 106" (3.5)

25-54:

1. KIIS (5.4)
2. KOST (5.3)
3. KBIG "My FM" (5.2)
4. KRTH "K-Earth" (4.7)
5. KCBS "Jack FM" (4.6)

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.

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%).

L.A. September Radio Ratings: KIIS Back On Top; El Mandril Extends Morning Streak

KLAX-FM morning host Ricardo "El Mandril" Sanchez (above), who recently scored a glowing Page 1 profile in the Los Angeles Times, has now won his fourth month in a row as the No. 1 morning radio show in Los Angeles. According to the recently released Arbitron ratings for September, El Mandril received a 6.9% share of the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. audience among listeners over the age of 12.

El Mandril was also a dominant No. 1 with listeners 18-34, averaging a 11.5% share. And he was No. 1 with listeners 25-54 (8.2% share).

KROQ's Kevin & Bean landed the most-listened-to morning show among English speakers, and No. 2 overall, in listeners 12+ (4.9%) and 25-54 (6.5%). KIIS' Ryan Seacrest was No. 2 with the 18-34 crowd (7.2%).

In total day (6 a.m. to midnight) listening, KIIS-FM is back to No. 1 after ceding the top spot to KBIG the last five months. Here are the rankings:

Persons 12+
1. KIIS 5.8
2. KBIG ("My FM") 5.6
3. KOST 4.2
t. KAMP ("Amp Radio") 4.2
5. KRTH ("K-Earth") 4.1
6. KPWR ("Power 106") 3.9
7. KLVE 3.8
8. KLAX ("La Raza") 3.7
9. KTWV ("The Wave") 3.4 t. KROQ 3.4

Persons 18-34
1. KIIS 9.2
2. KPWR 7.6
3. KAMP 6.4
t. KBIG 6.4
5. KLAX 4.7

Persons 25-54
1. KBIG 6.0
2. KIIS 5.6
3. KLAX 4.4
4. KROQ 4.2
5. KAMP 4.1

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).

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.

L.A.'s Fascinating New Top 40 Radio Station

One of the more interesting radio experiments in Los Angeles is currently taking place on KXOS-FM "Exitos 93.9." The station is Spanish-language, but the music is all English-language top 40 hits. It reminds me of traveling abroad and listening to the radio overseas (hey, I'm a geek) and hearing familiar U.S. top 40 songs coupled with announcers in other languages. If anything, the top 40 music mix on Exitos 93.9 appears to be a bit more adventurous than KIIS-FM of KAMP-FM (Amp Radio 97.1). Ross on Radio's Sean Ross writes about how unique this new station is:

Launched in 2009 as a broad-based Latin pop station, Exitos flipped last month to English-language hits with a Spanish-language presentation, the first major mainland U.S. attempt at the format for 25 years. For much of the day, it's mostly rhythmic-leaning pop that you'd hear on rivals KIIS (102.7) or KAMP (Amp 97.1), although the differences are telling. Once or twice per hour, there are international hits that most U.S. listeners don't know-"Saturday Night" by Whigfield or "New York City Boy" by the Pet Shop Boys.

And when Exitos carries Alfa morning man Tono Esquinca until 11 a.m, that same music is punctuated by stretches of alternative rock that never crossed over to top 40 in the United States. So P!nk, Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson are followed by Keane's "Is It Any Wonder?," U2's "Vertigo" and the Black Keys' "Gold on the Ceiling." At one point last Thursday morning (Nov. 22), "Love of the Common People" by Paul Young showed up.

The Mexican radio formula for English-language top 40 has always been more open than its U.S. counterpart to heritage artists, deeper library, more dance music (unaffected by its boom/bust cycles to the north) and more alternative crossover-even better if an artist combines dance and alternative.

Here's a sample playlist:



It's a novelty right now to hear English songs after a Spanish voice, but for the two Blogger Kids, both of whom are in Spanish immersion classrooms, it's a way to expose them to the language while listening to familiar music.

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.

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.

Sorry Hipsters, M83 Is Not Yours Anymore

Driving this morning to the final day of the TV Critics Association press tour this morning, I was flipping the radio dial when I heard M83's "Midnight City" on KROQ. Interesting -- a sign that M83 is going mainstream.

But then I flipped the dial again, and this surprised me: Between tracks by Pitbull and Nicki Minaj, Amp Radio 97.1 played -- you guessed it -- M83's "Midnight City." It was kind of bizarre. Somewhere in Echo Park, a hipster is weeping.

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.

Radio Ratings: Big Holiday for KOST; KPCC Sees Huge Gains

Los Angeles listeners decked their halls with even more Christmas music this year.

According to the holiday 2010 Arbitron radio ratings, KOST-FM's all-Christmas music format averaged a 9.3 share of the L.A. listening audience, up from an 8.1 share during the 2009 holiday season. (Arbitron breaks out the holidays into a separate report, presumably because stations like KOST stunt with special holiday programming, plus radio habits are altered during those weeks).

The holiday tunes, which begin pre-Thanksgiving and last all the way through Christmas, are so popular that they also fueled KOST's No. 1 finish in the previous December 2010 book as well.

At No. 2 was normal market leader KIIS (5.4 share), then KRTH "K-Earth" (4.3), which also goes heavy with the Christmas music during the holidays, but didn't get a KOST-like bump. KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.0) and KPWR "Power 106" (3.6) round out the top five.

Among more notable standings: KFI took a steep drop during the holidays -- perhaps people don't want to mix politics with presents -- averaging a 3.4 share, down from 4.0 in December and 4.2 in November.

And public radio KPCC saw a huge bump, going from a 1.4 share in December to a 2.3 share during the holidays. Were they doing something big during the last few weeks of the year that I didn't know about?

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.

June Arbitrons: KIIS Remains On Top, While KAMP Gains

Market leader KIIS-FM remained in the top spot this June, according to Los Angeles Arbitron rankings. KIIS led with a 5.9% share of the audience, down slightly from 6.1% in May.

KRTH (K-Earth 101) also slipped but was still good for second place, while KIIS rival top 40 KAMP-FM (Amp 97.1) jumped over KFI-AM to take the third spot.

Among alt rockers, KROQ managed to improve to a 3.5 share, tying it with KYSR (98.7) – which had been beating KROQ as of late in the overall 6+ ratings.

KPCC-FM once again led among public broadcasters, with a 2.0 share; KUSC was next, with 1.7.

March Arbitron Ratings: KIIS Still Dominates; KAMP Back on the Rise

It's still not exactly a contest in the 6+ radio popularity race, as KIIS still dominated the Los Angeles market in the month of March. The top 40 station's 5.7 share is a full percentage point ahead of any other station.

Rival KAMP "Amp Radio" is back in the hunt, re-entering the top five -- and once again gunning for its bigger competish.

Interestingly, Spanish radio -- which ruled the L.A. Arbitrons for much of the 1990s and into the 2000s -- continues to shrink down the list. The top-rated Spanish-lingo station, KLVE-FM (3.1 share), is in 13th place. Some broadcast companies have blamed the switch to personal people meter ratings methodology (which has hit several different genres hard), while others point to competition (with many more Spanish-language stations these days).

KPCC-FM managed to squeak ahead of KUSC to earn the top-rated public radio honors this time out (1.8 vs. 1.7).

Amp Radio vs. KIIS-FM: Two Very Different Takes on a "Sexy" Problem

You're a top 40 radio station with a dilemma: The new song by David Guetta (featuring Akon) is catchy and destined to be a hit. The problem? It's titled "Sexy Bitch." And what's more, the phrase "Sexy Bitch" is said over and over again throughout the song.

The solution at Clear Channel-owned KIIS-FM (102.7): Play the tamer alternate version -- "Sexy Chick."

But new KIIS rival Amp Radio (KAMP-FM 97.1), owned by CBS Radio, decided to go racy and stick with "Sexy Bitch."

Amp, after all is trying to make inroads on KIIS, and has got to be a little more edgy to make some noise. At the same time, CBS has been extra cautious in recent years when it comes to content standards -- still smarting from the Janet Jackson/Super Bowl debacle -- so I'm surprised they're going with the racier version of the song.

Above, a recent screen grab of both stations' playlists.

I asked Sean Ross, a radio consultant and the expert behind the newsletter Ross on Radio, to give me his take on the "Sexy Bitch" vs. "Sexy Chick" decisions:

I think Amp has tried to position itself from the outset as a little edgier than KIIS – somewhere between that station and Power 106’s Hip-Hop format. Mostly, however, I hear the “chick” version, including on Amp’s New York sister station, WXRK (Now FM). On the other hand, when Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” was on the radio, Now FM did play the “must be the weed, must be the ‘e’” line, while WHTZ (Z100) edited it.

After the Janet Jackson/Super Bowl incident, stations seemed to default to the safest available edit, including all those stories of stations that suddenly edited Pink Floyd’s “Money” and Steve Miller’s “Jet Airliner” after three decades. But there were still a lot of inconsistencies based on what edit was provided by the label.

Recently there have been a number of other records that have tested radio. I’ve also heard stations switching to the safer versions of songs in the middle of their chart runs, including David Guetta, “Obsessed,” and Jay-Z’s “Run This Town” where most stations somehow let the second half of Kanye West’s “everybody on my d---, no h----“ line go for weeks, then seemed to all edit it around the same time.

Ross notes that stations have stopped airing the gunshot ending of Rhianna's "Russian Roulette" -- or have even stopped playing it all together.

Carson Daly Joins The L.A. Morning Drive Time Radio Wars This Morning

vs.

Carson Daly takes over the KAMP-FM (97.1) "Amp Radio" morning drive show this morning, pitting him against fellow radio-DJ-turned-TV-star-and-producer-yet-still-a-radio-DJ Ryan Seacrest (who's replaced Rick Dees on KIIS-FM in 2004).

The L.A. Times recently spoke to Daly, who stressed that his show would focus much more on music, and less on chatter, compared to Seacrest:

Daly, who'll be on from 6 to 10 a.m. weekdays, promises no sidekicks, no celebrity sleaze, no morning zoo. "This is about music. I'm not going to go on for four hours and talk," he said...

The parallels are striking -- for example, both used L.A. radio as a springboard, Daly at KROQ and Seacrest when he was on afternoons at KYSR-FM (98.7) until 2003. They've hosted TV music shows that became pop culture phenomena -- "Total Request Live" vs. "American Idol." Both have branched out as executives on the other side of the camera or microphone. And now they helm morning-drive shows on the two most popular contemporary-hits radio stations in L.A.

"I get it," said Daly, 36. "Ryan and I laugh about it. We're friends. We have dinner every year this week," when both are in New York hosting their respective New Year's Eve countdown shows, Daly on NBC and Seacrest on ABC.

So don't expect any feuding or a blacklisting of guests who appear on the rival's show. Instead, they might even guest for each other.

"We'd be foolish not to try and put our brains together to try and do something cool," Daly said, then paused: "I think we'd be better served to do something charitable. Like something for Earth Day."

Here's where the small world factor comes in: Daly got his start as a 16-year-old intern for Jimmy Kimmel at KCMG-FM in Palm Springs. Kimmel, the one-time KROQ sports guy, was until recently the executive producer of Adam Carolla's morning show when 97.1 was "FM Talk" KLSX-FM. Daly is now taking over that slot.

MEANWHILE, Daly's hire finally completes the missing DJ link for KAMP, joining midday DJ Chris Booker, afternoon drive time host Ted Stryker and nighttimer Casey McCabe. Strangely, all four -- Daly, Booker, Stryker and McCabe -- came to KAMP with a modern rock DJ background. Now, instead of spinning Rage Against the Machine, they're the voices intro'ing Lady Gaga.

That brings us to this question...