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)

August Radio Ratings: KRTH, KFI Top the Charts

KRTH "K-Earth 101" is back on top.

The classic hits station (the classy way of saying "oldies") won the August 2015 book in Los Angeles with a 4.9 share of the listening audience age 12 and over. It was also 8th with persons 18-34 and 4th with the 25-54 year olds.

Meanwhile, top 40 KIIS-FM was No. 1 with listeners 18-34 (7.9 share), while hot adult contemporary KBIG "My 104.3" was No. 1 with 25-54 (5.4 share).

The big market success story right now may be hip-hop KRRL "Real 92.3," which has been the No. 2 station in the market among adults 18-34 since May. Not bad for a station that had previously been urban AC "Hot 92.3." It continues to narrowly beat heritage hip-hop KPWR "Power 106," having stolen key morning star Big Boy.

In morning drive time, KFI's Bill Handel remains dominant with radio listeners age 12 and up, averaging a 5.2 share. Close behind was Spanish language KLVE (5.1 share), which was No. 1 with listeners 25-54 (5.4). Ryan Seacrest on KIIS was still No. 1 with persons 18-34, a streak he's held all of 2015.



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

1. KFI (5.2 share)
2. KLVE (5.1)
3. KRTH "K-Earth" (4.6)
4. KIIS (4.3)
5. KOST (4.0)
6. KTWV "The Wave" (3.9)
7. KBIG (3.7)
TIE. KNX (3.7)
9. KROQ (3.4)
TIE. KSWD "The Sound" (3.4)


25-54:

1. KLVE (5.4)
2. KROQ (5.0)
3. KIIS (4.6)
4. KLYY (4.3)
5. KBIG (4.0)


Here are the top stations among listeners 12+:

1. KRTH (4.9 share)
2. KBIG (4.8)
TIE. KIIS (4.8)
TIE. KOST (4.8)
5. KTWV "The Wave" (4.1)
6. KCBS "Jack FM" (3.8)
TIE. KSWD "The Sound" (3.8)
TIE. KFI (3.8)
TIE. KLVE (3.8)
10. KAMP "Amp Radio" (3.1)

25-54:

1. KBIG (5.4)
2. KIIS (5.2)
3. KOST (4.7)
4. KRTH "K-Earth" (4.6)
5. KLVE (4.3)

August Radio Ratings: Healthy Summer Gains for LA's Top Stations

Univision's KLVE "K-Love 107.5" is once again No. 1 spot in morning radio, as the station's "Omar y Argelia" posted a 4.8 share (same as last month) of the Los Angeles 12+ audience in August. KRTH "K-Earth 101's" Gary Bryan (4.7, up from 4.5) was No. 2, followed by KFI-AM's Bill Handel (4.6, up from 4.2), Spanish station KSCA's "El Bueno, La Mala y El Feo" show (4.1 down from 4.7), and all-news KNX, benefiting from a busy news month (4.0, up from 3.6). Also tied in 5th was Valentine at KBIG "My 104.3 FM" (4.0, up from 3.8).

Among persons 18-34, KPWR "Power 106's" Big Boy was No. 1 in the morning (8.0 share). And in adults 25-54, KROQ's "Kevin & Bean Show" remained No. 1 (5.1).

In overall 6 a.m. to midnight ratings, it was a nice month of gains for most of the most-listened-to stations. KBIG was once again No. 1 with listeners 12+ (5.3, up from 4.9 last month), followed by KRTH (4.9, up from 4.7), KIIS-FM (4.8, up from 4.5), KOST (4.4, up from 4.2) and KPWR "Power 106" (4.2, down from 4.3). KPWR was No. 1 with 18-34 listeners (8.0) while KBIG was also No. 1 with 25-54 (5.4).

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.

Retro Friday: A Look Back at Columbia Square

A time capsule from the 1980s: This special edition of Channel 2's "Two on the Town" magazine show looks at the history of Columbia Square -- the home to CBS radio and, later, KNXT/KCBS-TV for decades. Artists like the Rolling Stones also recorded albums for CBS Records in the building. Truly a historic place. It now sits empty at the corner of Sunset and Gower, waiting to be redeveloped.

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.

Wait, Who's That Interchange Named After? 'Ida Know.'

Like me, you may have been stuck inching along the 110, approaching the Four-Level Interchange with the 101 when you see this sign: Bill Keene Memorial Interchange.

What? Why would Caltrans name a freeway interchange after the creator of one of the least funny comic strips in history, "Family Circus"?

What again? Oh. Apparently the creator of "Family Cirus" is actually a guy named Bil Keane.

The Bill Keene Memorial Interchange was actually named after a former KNXT-TV and KNX radio reporter, who applied several nicknames to it over the years. Kind of an unusual choice to name an interchange, complete with sign (above) -- after someone in the media.

Watch Out, KIIS: Amp Gets Amp'ed

In case you haven't seen the March Arbitron ratings for L.A. yet... here's the latest top performers among listeners 6+ (which is only used for bragging rights; it's not a demo sold to advertisers) via All Access.

Top 40 KIIS (102.7) is still on top, but is starting to see some erosion. New rival "97.1 Amp" (KLSX) appears to be having an impact, as it shot up to a 3.2 share, better than anything it ever did in its "FM Talk" days. Also of note: All-news KNX appears to be benefiting from KFWB's decision to focus slightly more on Hollywood news. That has led to a sizable drop at KFWB.

Covering the Fire Coverage: A Return to Normalcy?

Above, coverage of the San Diego fires from that market's CBS affiliate, KFMB Channel 8.

As San Diego becomes the focal point to the fire disaster, Los Angeles' TV stations are finally pondering a return to normal programming.

KABC, for example, is expected to return to "Good Morning America" this morning for the first time this week. But every station is still likely to go back on the air this morning at 4 a.m. with the latest local coverage.

Stations again spent much of Tuesday commercial-free, broadcasting non-stop news as the Southern California inferno got more out of hand. With nearly 1 million people evacuated from their homes, the story continued to grow in scope.

One local TV general manager I spoke to said he knew exactly how much money he had lost so far -- "down to the penny" -- by dumping commercials. But in cases like this, it's important to take a leadership role -- partly because community service is still a factor in TV licenses, and partly because it brands you as the go-to TV station in times of crisis.

Meanwhile, over at KNBC, the station once again bucked the trend and kept much of the "Today" show on the air -- while KABC jettisoned "Good Morning America" (actually, it ran "GMA" on its digital sub-channel) and KCBS pre-empted "Early Show." Why? According to KNBC news director Bob Long, he's trying to send a message to the East Coast "Today" show folk, who were already producing a special live west coast edition. By airing "Today," which was pretty much wall-to-wall fire coverage anyway, Long is still trying to get the New York news operations to pay more attention to the world out west.

In radio, L.A.'s all-news KNX and KFWB stuck to the story, but for the most part kept their ads (after all, this is more their usual duty). In evening, however, the fire coverage waged enough out of the control.

In San Diego, radio stations banded together to share resources and simulcast feeds, much like the New Orleans radio stations did in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. All of the Clear Channel stations, for example, went with one feed, from news/talk KOGO. Also, in the spirit of cooperation, alternative rocker FM 94.9 turned its signal over to public broadcaster KPBS, after the station's transmitter was shut down by the fires.

Radio Waves: The Return of Two Big Names to L.A. Radio?

Local talk radio legend Michael Jackson is about to make another run on the airwaves. According to his website (and as first reported by LARadio.com), Jackson will air from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saul Levine's KMZT-AM (1260), which is about to switch to an all-talk format as KGIL-AM. Jackson writes:

The station is in Los Angeles and they are chaninging their call-sign from K-Mozart to KGIL. That's a call sign which had a fine reputation for many years. We'll be on the AM band at 1260, and as the newsreport had it, I'll be filling some very familiar hours; 9-11 a.m. There's a possibility, to be confirmed in a few days, that the program will be repeated between 4.00 and 6.00 pm. There's lots to tell and as I learn more I'll pass it on.

1260 AM has been playing classical music since February, when Levine flipped his FM station (105.1, now KKGO-FM) from classical to country. In the process, Levine moved the classical format to the 1260 AM signal.

But 1260 AM is hard to hear in much of Los Angeles county, and AM radio isn't ideal for classical music anyway. 1260 AM has seen many format changes in recent years, from adult standards to showtunes to all-Beatles to news to country.

As for Jackson, the host most recently conducted a wide variety of interviews for all-news KNX, but ultimately left the station when he wasn't given his own timeslot. He's still best known for his unprecedented 32-year run on KABC-AM, as seen above in that promotional ad.



Meanwhile, another question making the local radio rounds: Is Los Angeles ready for the return of Don Imus?

Of course, the other question is, does Los Angeles care?

As talk of Imus' return to radio continues, here in L.A. the buzz on radio boards has been a potential timeslot on KABC-AM. But that's far from a sure thing -- particularly because Imus doesn't have a great track record in Los Angeles. His last syndicated stop here didn't make any noise. And by the time he was forced off the air -- for using a derogatory comment -- Imus was only heard in the region on a tiny Inland Empire station.

KFWB Broadcast Tower? CBS Broadcast Center? Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

They're located 10 steps from each other, but to hear newsradio outfits KFWB and KNX give their weather reports, you'd think they were in completely different complexes.

When it comes time to give the temp, I heard one KFWB anchor say, "It's (blank) degrees at the KFWB Broadcast Tower." KNX, on the other hand, has its anchors say, "It's (blank) degrees at the CBS Broadcast Center."

Both are totally made-up names, so I guess it doesn't matter. The truth is, both are located in the Wilshire skyscraper right next door to Variety (where E! Entertainment Television once resided, before joining Variety in the Wilshire Courtyard complex).

But I love that KFWB goes beyond exaggeration (not only are many CBS radio stations in the tower, but CBS Radio is just one of many, many tenants in the tower) while KNX is a bit more modest.