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)

First Listen: The New "Real 92.3" Takes On Power 106

Los Angeles' hip-hop radio wars are back. Reminiscent of the old battle between Power 106 and 92.3 The Beat, the two frequencies are once again going face-to-face for listeners with very similar sounds. (Technically, Power is a rhythmic station, while Real is urban contemporary. But the differences are subtle). The new Real 92.3 came out swinging this morning, flipping from oldies Hot 92.3 at 9:23 a.m. and immediately taunting its much larger cross-town rival.

The real battle, however, might we waged in the courtroom, as Big Boy and Power 106 owner Emmis battle over the morning DJ's attempts to join Real for a lot more money.

Here's an early sample of the Real 92.3 playlist:

Try Me -- Dej Loaf
Let Me Know -- Tamar Braxton feat. Future
Pop That -- French Montana
Strip -- Chris Brown feat. Kevin McCall
Climax -- Usher
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) -- Jay-Z
Not For Long (feat. Trey Songz) -- B.o.B
The Body (feat. Jeremih) -- Wale
0 To 100 / The Catch Up -- Drake
7/11 -- Beyoncé

As you might expect, Hot 92.3 and jammin' oldies fans were not happy with the switch:



By the way, it's probably no surprise that iHeartMedia/Clear Channel designed the new Real 92.3 logo to look a bit like the old 92.3 The Beat logo we remember from the 1990s:

Have Power 106 and Big Boy Split Up For Good?

The contract dispute between Big Boy and Power 106/KPWR owner Emmis is getting ugly. Power 106 has now completely scrubbed Big Boy -- the station's morning host since the late 1990s -- off its website, and is now touting J Cruz (above) as its morning show host.

At issue: Big Boy had been lured away by iHeartMedia (aka Clear Channel), which planned on using the DJ as the centerpiece of its all-new Urban Contemporary outlet "Real 92.3." That station -- currently oldies "Hot 92.3" -- still plans to make the flip tomorrow, but it's not clear if Big Boy will be along for the ride.



That's because Emmis is waging an all-out battle to prevent Big Boy from making the jump. TMZ (which I find it strange they're covering local L.A. radio politics) has the skinny:

Emmis is taking it real personal, saying it discovered Big Boy more than 20 years ago when he was working as a bodyguard, and turned him into one of the most dynamic personalities on the air.

Big Boy was making $1.45 million a year -- plus bonuses and a car -- but his contract was up at the end of this month. According to the suit, Big Boy got an offer from iHeartMedia of $3.5 million plus other royalties and perks, including the use of a private jet.

But Emmis says it has a right under the existing deal to match a competitor's offer and keep him, and says that's exactly what it did ... but he told the company he was leaving anyway.

The outlet that carries Big Boy's Neighborhood in L.A. -- Power 106 FM -- started Wednesday's morning drive time ... his usual shift ... by playing music without a DJ, though one eventually came on around 6 AM.

But Emmis is on the attack, asking a judge for an order prohibiting Big Boy from bailing. Emmis also wants $5 million.

TMZ also has Big Boy's statement: “I feel nothing but love and gratitude for the nearly 21 years I’ve spent with my listeners at Power 106. I am proud of everything I accomplished over the last two decades and the contributions I made to the station’s success. All I want to do right now is get back to what I love, what I am meant to do – wake up every morning and hang with my listeners. They are my family. Their love and devotion mean everything to me.”

This is nothing new in hard-ball radio negotiations -- radio stations frequently yank all references to their popular morning hosts when things get this intense, and put it all back later. But this seems extra nasty. We'll see where it goes. (If you search inside the site, you'll find the Big Boy's Neighborhood page is still parked there.)



As for "Real 92.3," here are the details from RadioInfo.com:

The flip takes place on Friday morning at 9:23 AM and the company says that its senior vice president of urban programming Doc Wynter will serve as PD for the station that kicks off the new format with 10,000 commercial-free songs. Core artists will be Drake, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Usher, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. Wynter comments, “The all-new ‘Real 92.3’ will be LA's new home for REAL Hip Hop and R&B. It's what LA listeners have been waiting for. Starting tomorrow morning at 9:23, we'll start rollin' 10,000 joints in a row!”

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.

Rick Dees Out At Hot 92.3

After just a year doing mornings on KHHT-FM "Hot 92.3," Rick Dees is exiting the station. Hot 92.3 seemed to be a good fit -- it was all of the songs he was known for playing the first time around, after all. But Dees didn't do the show live, and radio insiders on the message boards say the ratings weren't up to par.

"Rick has been with us for a year and we've thoroughly enjoyed every moment," Greg Ashlock, president and market manager of Clear Channel's Los Angeles stations, said in a statement. "He's a consummate professional and we wish him the best as he pursues some national opportunities. (Clear Channel L.A. programming head) John Ivey will be sharing with you our morning plans for the future later this week."

Dees was shown the door at Clear Channel's KIIS-FM -- and replaced with Ryan Seacrest -- in 2004 after he and the radio behemoth couldn't come to terms on a new deal. His more than two decades at KIIS came to a sudden close.

Later, Dees joined Emmis' new "Movin' 93.9" in 2006 after the station dumped its country format. But three years later, Movin' 93.9 signed off and flipped to country. Dees continues focus on a thri Internet and syndication businesses.

"We launched a one year marketing campaign with my friends at Clear Channel to increase the awareness and revenue of Hot 92.3," Dees said on his Twitter and Facebook pages. "The campaign has been a great success and we look forward to other new shows and marketing strategies with the talented team from Clear Channel in the near future. See you at www.rick.com, plus all over the world with the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 and Daily Dees Radio Show."

PREVIOUSLY ON FRANKLIN AVENUE:

Breaking: Rick Dees Returns to L.A. Radio, This Time at Hot 92.3 (April 2011)

Another One Bites the Dust: Movin 93.9 Signs Off (April 2009)

Rick Dees Loses Radio Home: "Movin 93.9" To Go Spanish (April 2009)

Rick Dees to Open Street-Level Radio Studio (February 2007)

BREAKING NEWS: KZLA Dumps Country and Goes Dance/Rick Dees (August 2006)

Dees Sleaze (February 2006)

Dees-Nied (February 2004)

Breaking: Rick Dees Returns to L.A. Radio, This Time at Hot 92.3

Rick Dees is taking another stab at local radio, and this time it's with Clear Channel -- the company with which he bitterly parted ways in 2004.

Dees will host mornings on Clear Channel's R&B oldies outlet KHHT-FM (Hot 92.3) beginning Wednesday, May 4. Here are the details:

n making this announcement, Clear Channel Los Angeles Market Manager/President, Greg Ashlock said, “Rick is synonymous with radio in Los Angeles and this genre of music is perfect for him as he introduced many of these artists that ultimately paralleled his career path of popularity.”

Clear Channel Los Angeles head of Programming, John Ivey commented, “We asked Hot 92.3 listeners who their favorite radio personalities were and the two most mentioned were Art Laboe and Rick Dees!” Ivey continued, “So, with Rick starting the day with his infectious humor and old school hits and Art ending the day with requests and dedications, we are going to have some very happy listeners.”

Dees commented, “I am proud to be welcomed back into the number one radio market in the world, playing some of the best music ever recorded and especially getting the opportunity to reunite with a long list of Clear Channel friends.”

Rick will begin his mornings at Hot 92.3 on Wednesday, May 4th with a naming rights partner, Valley View Casino & Hotel, already in place. To celebrate his return, Dees will be throwing out the first pitch for the Dodgers/Cubs game at Dodger Stadium at 12:10pm after his debut show.

I guess all is forgiven between Dees and Clear Channel. Dees was shown the door at KIIS-FM -- and replaced with Ryan Seacrest -- seven years ago after he and the radio behemoth (which owns KIIS) couldn't come to terms on a new deal. His more than two decades at KIIS came to a sudden close.

Later, Dees joined Emmis' new "Movin' 93.9" in 2006 after the station dumped its country format. But three years later, Movin' 93.9 signed off and flipped to country. Since then, Dees has focused on his Internet and syndication businesses.

PREVIOUSLY ON FRANKLIN AVENUE:

Another One Bites the Dust: Movin 93.9 Signs Off (April 2009)

Rick Dees Loses Radio Home: "Movin 93.9" To Go Spanish (April 2009)

Rick Dees to Open Street-Level Radio Studio (February 2007)

BREAKING NEWS: KZLA Dumps Country and Goes Dance/Rick Dees (August 2006)

Dees Sleaze (February 2006)

Dees-Nied (February 2004)

And here's my Variety piece from 2006 on Dees, who was candid in how upset he was over what happened at KIIS in 2004. A clip:

"It was a nightmare," Dees says. "It's one thing to retire. It's another thing to have to stay off radio involuntarily."

Dees' contract at KIIS-FM was up, and although both sides were negotiating a new deal, the San Antonio-based owners at Clear Channel had other ideas. The company had been grooming "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest to eventually fill Dees' KIIS-FM chair. And although it came sooner than expected, KIIS and Clear Channel ultimately opted to part ways with the man who helped put that station on the map.

For Dees, it was a surreal moment. Seacrest, who patterned his radio career after Dees', was not just taking over his gig; everything else about the show -- even Dees' sidekick Ellen K -- was remaining.

"I heard my show being taken over, but still with all the players who I had hired," Dees says. "To take me out, stab me in the back and stick someone else on there because he's on a TV show ... it felt horrible. But I got over it.

"I slashed their tires," he quips. "But I got over it."