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"

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)

A Retro Night with Duran Duran and Chic at the Hollywood Bowl

Nostalgia ruled Thursday night at the Hollywood Bowl, as children of the 1980s crowded into the ampitheater in order to hear classic tunes from both iconic groups. It was the first Hollywood Bowl concert for Duran Duran, which still features original members singer Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, and drummer Roger Taylor.



Solid-out crowd at the Bowl.



It's a little bit disconcerting to realize that yes, you're now attending concerts sponsored by an oldies station. And that "oldies" means 1980s music. And that 1980s music is 30 years ago. Just as in the 1980s, music from the 1950s was from 30 years ago. Sigh.



Chic feat. Nile Rodgers setlist:
Dance, Dance, Dance
Everybody Dance
I Want Your Love
I'm Coming Out / Upside Down / He's The Greatest Dancer / We Are Family
Get Lucky
Let's Dance
Le Freak
Good Times



It's truly impressive the number of hits that Nile Rodgers has been involved with through the decades. "He is RICH," Maria proclaimed.



Chic's set ended with a dance party on stage, as several people -- including Craig Robinson -- were brought out to groove behind the group during "Good Times." (Nile also did a solid first verse of "Rapper's Delight," which, of course, used "Good Times" as a back beat.)



Duran Duran setlist:
Paper Gods
Hungry Like the Wolf
A View to a Kill
The Reflex
Come Undone
Last Night in the City
What Are the Chances?
Notorious
Pressure Off
Planet Earth
Ordinary World
White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)
(Reach Up for the) Sunrise
Danceophobia
Too Much Information
Girls on Film
Encore: Rio



Simon Le Bon turns 57 later this month, and still had ladies swooning in the audience.



Some interesting choices for their Hollywood Bowl set, including their 1995 cover of Grandmaster Melle Mel's "White Lines."

The show ended with "Rio"; unfortunately, things had to end there, as the Hollywood Bowl has a strict 11 p.m. curfew. Which meant planned performances of "Save a Prayer" and "Wild Boys," reportedly planned to be a part of the encore, had to be scrapped.

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)

April Radio Ratings: Morning Shake Up Spells Trouble for Power 106

KRTH_FM ("K-Earth 101") morning host Gary Bryan is continuing his winning streak, leading the L.A. market in morning drive for the fourth month in a row.

KRTH and Bryan was first with persons 12+ for the month of April, averaging a 5.4 share. That follows by Bill Handel on KFI (4.9), KLVE's Omar y Argelia was third with a 4.8 share, then KIIS FM's Ryan Seacrest (4.5 share) and KBIG-FM's (My 104.3 FM) Valentine (4.4 share). In Persons 25-54, Seacrest and KIIS were first (7.8), then Omar y Argelia at KLVE (5.3) and KBIG's Valentine (4.6). Seacrest was also tops with persons 18-34 (7.8). Meanwhile, are listeners not following Big Boy to the new KRRL "Real 92.3"? The station saw a nice boost in March after Big Boy's arrival, particularly in persons 18-34, where it was 3rd (5.0 share) last month, up from 15th place (2.8) prior to Big Boy in February. But in April, the station was back down to 6th place (4.8 share) in drive time.

It's still not as rough as things at Big Boy's old home, KPWR "Power 106." The station, once consistently No. 1 or 2 in persons 18-34, was 10th in mornings in April (3.3 share).

Nice news for my pals at KCRW, which averaged its highest 12+ audience share in mornings (2.3) in at least a year.

In total day viewing, KIIS and KBIG were tied for tops (5.3 share) in listeners 12+, followed by KRTH, KOST and KSWD "The Sound," which is doing quite well these days.

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).

July Radio Ratings: A New Number One in the Mornings

Another semi-dramatic shift in Los Angeles morning drive radio, as Univision's KLVE "K-Love 107.5" landed the No. 1 spot in the July book among persons 12+, as "Omar y Argelia" posted a 4.8 share of the audience. Spanish station KSCA's "El Bueno, La Mala y El Feo" show, which was No. 1 in June, is now No. 2 (4.7), followed by KRTH "K-Earth 101's" Gary Bryan (4.5), KFI-AM (4.2) and KBIG "My 104.3 FM" (3.8).

Among persons 18-34, KSCA was No. 1 (7.1 share). And in adults 25-54, KROQ's "Kevin & Bean Show" was tops (5.1), a streak they've held since December.

In overall 6 a.m. to midnight ratings, KBIG was No. 1 with listeners 12+, followed by KRTH (4.7), KIIS-FM (4.5), KPWR "Power 106" (4.3) and KOST (4.2). KPWR was No. 1 with 18-34 listeners (8.1) while KBIG was also No. 1 with 25-54 (5.3).

June L.A. Radio Ratings: Why Are Things So Topsy-Turvy?

What's going on with the Nielsen radio ratings in Los Angeles? The June 2014 book is out, and the results are still strange. Yet, Nielsen says it now believes everything is kosher, according to the Los Angeles Times:

Ratings giant Nielsen on Wednesday said it has concluded its investigation into inaccurate ratings in the Los Angeles radio market, but stopped short of sanctioning Univision Communications for alleged unethical conduct by a former station executive.

Last month, Nielsen discovered that a high-ranking Univision Radio executive at the company's Los Angeles station, KSCA-FM (101.9), had access to several of Nielsen's portable people meter devices that pick up audio signals. Nielsen uses data transmitted from the devices to determine which radio stations have the most listeners.

It is a violation of Nielsen rules for a station employee to have access to the devices. Univision quickly fired the executive and announced more rigorous ethics training sessions for its employees. No other station executives were reprimanded.

Nielsen notified radio stations on Wednesday that despite the problems it found with two households that were removed from its sample audience in Los Angeles, the agency would not go back and reissue the ratings for last year or the first quarter of 2014.

And yet KSCA, which had been 13th place in mornings as recently as January, is suddenly the No. 1 station between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. among listerners 12+ (5.0 share), up from 5th place in May. The station's new "El Bueno, La Mala y El Feo" show is also No. 1 with listeners 18-34 with a whopping 9.3 share, up a massive 3 share points from May (6.3).

KRTH "K-Earth 101"'s Gary Bryan is No. 2 with 12+ (4.9 share), followed by KLVE-FM's Omar y Argelia (4.3), KIIS' Ryan Seacrest (4.1) and KFI-AM's Bill Handel (3.9). In persons 18-34, KPWR "Power 106"'s Big Boy is second (7.5), then KIIS (5.8), KROQ's Kevin & Bean (5.2) and KBIG's Valentine (4.8). With persons 25-54, KROQ is No. 1 (5.3), then KSCA (4.9), KIIS (4.6), KLVE (4.1) and KBIG (3.8).

In total day listening, KRTH is extending its reign among persons 12+ (5.5 share), followed by KIIS (5.0), KBIG (4.9), KPWR (4.7) and KOST (4.1). KPWR is tops with listeners 18-34 (8.4 share), while KIIS leads with listeners 25-54 (5.2).

L.A. May Radio Ratings: KRTH's Surprise Surge To No. 1

After all the drama surrounding the last two months of Los Angeles radio ratings -- which may have been tampered with -- Nielsen Audio (which had held back on reporting May, due to the controversy) has finally revealed last month's numbers. And although I suppose Nielsen has solved whatever problem held them back, it's still an interesting month, as KRTH "K-Earth 101" has shot to the top of the charts.

It's a bit of a surprise: "K-Earth 101" is now tied for No. 1 in the market, among listeners 12+. For the weekly 6 a.m. to midnight average, KRTH tied KIIS in the top spot, with a 5.2 share each. That's after being K-Earth consistently ranking No. 5 or No. 6 for most of the past year. After K-Earth and KIIS it's KBIG "My FM" (4.8), KPWR "Power 106" (4.3) and a tie between KOST and Spanish-language KLVE (4.1).

In adults 18-34, Power 106 was No. 1 (7.8 share), while KIIS was No. 1 in adults 25-54.

The morning drive race is also interesting, as K-Earth morning host Gary Bryan took the top spot with persons 12+ (4.5 share). The show had never been above No. 5 in the past year. KIIS (4.4), KLVE and KROQ (4.3, tied) and KSCA (4.0) followed. KROQ was No. 1 with persons 25-54 (6.2) and Power 106 was No. 1 with listeners 18-34 (7.1).

Radio Ratings: Two Spanish Shows Take Morning Radio By Storm

KROQ's Kevin & Bean Show was once again No. 1 in April among listeners 12+ (a streak it has kept up from the beginning of the year) with a 4.7 share of the Los Angeles market audience, according to Nielsen Audio. Kevin & Bean are also No. 1 with adults 25-54 (6.4 share) for the sixth book in a row.



But it appears that change is afoot in morning radio, led by two rapidly rising Spanish-language radio stations: KSCA-FM and KXOS-FM. "El Bueno, La Mala y El Feo" ("The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"), the new morning show on KSCA "LA 101.9," was No. 2 in April, averaging a 4.5 share among listeners 12+. It's been a great recovery for KSCA, which had slumped at the end of last year after previous host Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo exited.

Experiencing an even more dramatic rise is KXOS-FM "Exitos 93.9," which was not a player at all in the mornings until the arrival of El Mandril, who was previously at KLAX. KXOS scored a 4.2 share in April -- compared to the 0.6 it posted in December. (KLAX, on the flip side, went from No. 1 for most of last year in morning drive to 24th place for much of this year so far.)

KIIS' Ryan Seacrest was No. 1 with adults 18-34, with a 7.1 share.

In overall 6 a.m. to midnight listening, KIIS-FM was No. 1 in people 12+, with a 5.1 share, followed by KBIG "My 104.3" (4.9), KRTH "K-Earth 101" (4.8), KPWR "Power 106" (4.5) and KOST-FM (4.5).

KPWR was tops with adults 18-34 (8.7) and KBIG was No. 1 with 25-54 (5.6).

There were so many major changes in this book -- KPCC's online stream even posted a decent number, even though it never showed up in the book until now. Did Nielsen Audio overhaul its Los Angeles sample in the past month?

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%).

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. 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.

Retro Friday: L.A. Radio, Back in the Day

Wow, this 1991 spot for KPWR "Power 106" screams, well, "1991." From back when Power 106 was "L.A.'s Hottest Music."


KLAC is now all-sports, but back in 1985 it was a country station. This low-rent spot seems like it was made for some small radio market, not Los Angeles.


In 1993, KNX and KFWB were still owned by different companies -- KNX by CBS, and KFWB by Group W. Here's an animated spot from all-news KFWB.


A rock spot from KLOS in the mid-1980s.


KDAY goes disco in 1979.


Space-age KRTH in 1980.


KROQ's famed "Roq of the '80s" logo and spot in the 1980s.


KOST, from its "beautiful music" days. Remember when elevator music was played on the radio? Yikes!

February Los Angeles Radio Ratings: KIIS Remains Dominant

Top 40 KIIS-FM continues its reign as the Los Angeles market's No. 1 radio station (outside of the Christmas holidays), dominating the February Arbitron ratings with a 5.6% share of the audience.

Clear Channel sibling KOST-FM remains in second place, with a 4.9 share, while rival CBS Radio outlet KRTH-FM "K-Earth" is third, with a 4.4.

That's followed by talker KFI (4.1) and then rhythmic KPWR "Power 106," which shot up from a 3.5 in January to a 4.0 in February.

In sixth was the market's top Spanish station, KLVE-FM, with a 3.5 share; then top 40 KAMP-FM "Amp Radio" (3.5), KTWV-FM "The Wave" (3.4) and KROQ-FM (3.3). AC KBIG-FM "My 104.3" rounded out the top ten, with a 3.3. Just bubbling under, at a 3.0, was all-news KNX -- which is likely to see further improvement in March's book thanks to these ultra-newsy times.

Check out the full February roster here.