L.A. Radio Notes: Changes for Madeleine Brand, Kennedy and El Mandril

>> Our pals at KCRW take the wraps off their new daily Madeleine Brand show, "Press Play," this Monday at noon. The show "will explore the world through the lens of Los Angeles. It will combine Madeleine’s distinct voice, intelligence and warm sense of humor with an eclectic mix of guests to offer new ideas and unique perspectives on everything from politics and science to entertainment and art," says KCRW general manager Jennifer Ferro. Listen to the pilot episode below:



>> Kennedy is out and "The Woody Show" is in at KYSR-FM "Alt 98.7." Details from RadioInfo.com:

The change is set to take place on April 21 when “The Woody Show” featuring Woody, Ravey, Menace and Greg Gory takes over the 6:00 am to 10:00 am slot currently held down by Lisa Kennedy Montgomery’s “Music in the Morning with Kennedy” show.

The station says in a statement, “The foursome are real life friends, who are having fun, raw, honest conversations about things happening in the world – they will reunite on ALT 98.7 for the first time since 2009, when they were a top-rated morning show in San Francisco. Since then, Woody and Ravey have hosted the #1 morning show in St. Louis, while Menace and Gory each anchor separate successful shows in San Francisco."

CCM+E vice president of programming Los Angeles Andrew Jeffries says, "'The Woody Show' is here to wake the market up with their unique friendship, driven by a cast of characters coming from a diverse range of backgrounds all finding a common sense of humor, love of communicating with listeners and desire to entertain."

>> The Los Angeles Times reports that "El Mandril," a.k.a. Ricardo Sanchez, has switched radio stations. He's moving to KXOS-FM (93.9).

More from the newspaper:

The station KXOS is part-owned and managed by the Mexico City broadcasting company Grupo Radio Centro.

"First I achieved the American dream of having success in the United States, and now I can achieve the Mexican dream of triumphing with the strongest radio company in Mexico," Sanchez wrote in Spanish in his Facebook message.

Until this month, the former janitor whose "El Mandril" radio nickname means the Baboon, had been affiliated with Spanish Broadcasting System's KLAX 97.9 FM, which brands itself as "La Raza."

In November, amid contentious contract negotiations and allegations of ratings manipulation, Spanish Broadcasting yanked Sanchez from its airwaves.

The Miami-based company would not comment on the situation. However, several radio sources, including Sanchez's manager, confirmed that Nielsen was investigating allegations that someone associated with Sanchez's show had contacted members of the audience panel in Los Angeles that Nielsen used to generate its local ratings.

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.

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.

May Arbitron Ratings: KIIS dominates, while "The Wave" crests

L.A. radio junkies have been waiting for the demise of CBS Radio's KTWV-FM 94.7 "The Wave."

But don't count out the "smooth jazz" station just yet. While similar-formatted stations have been disappearing across the country, Los Angeles' "The Wave" still has quite a bit of life in it, if the May 2010 Arbitron ratings are any indication.

Part of The Wave's success is simple: It's not really a "smooth jazz" station at all. Program director Jhani Kaye, who also programs CBS Radio's KRTH "K-Earth 101," has repositioned The Wave as a much more approachable adult contemporary station.

And just as he found success in making K-Earth (now a solid No. 2 in the market, behind KIIS) much more current and mainstream, Kaye's done the same with The Wave.

Check out The Wave's current top 10 list:

Michael Buble – "Haven't Met You Yet"
Sade – "Soldier Of Love"
Usher – "Making Love (Into The Night)"
Sade – "Babyfather"
Leona Lewis – "Better In Time"
Fergie – "Big Girls Don't Cry"
Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillet – "Lucky"
Kenny G featuring Robin Thicke – "Fall Again"
Norah Jones – "Chasing Pirates"
Mary J. Blige – "I Am"

The May book is also the first with Kim Amidon in the morning, who replaced Brian McKnight in May as Pat Prescott's morning drive partner.

Overall, KIIS-FM is once again market leader, with a commanding 6.1% share of the L.A. radio audience. Meanwhile, the local rock radio race continues to heat up. KYSR 98.7 FM (3.5 share) continues to lead over KLOS (3.3 share) and KROQ (3.1 share).

The usual disclaimer, you should always take the 6+ audience share numbers -- the ones reported by everyone -- with a grain of salt. It's demos that stations and advertisers care about.

New Co-Host and New (Not So Good) Timeslot for KROQ's "Loveline"

(New "Loveline" co-host "Psycho Mike" Catherwood, along with former "Loveline" co-host Adam Carolla and the show's 26-year veteran, Dr. Drew Pinsky)

As KROQ looks to beat down the surging competition -- rival 98.7 KYSR, which beat KROQ in the last Arbitron ratings survey -- the station has now bumped nighttime staple "Loveline" deep into the night.

"Loveline," now nationally syndicated by Westwood One, began as a weekly show on KROQ in 1983 (then hosted by Jim "Poorman" Trenton, who was joined a year later by Dr. Drew Pinsky). KROQ expanded the show to five nights a week -- Sunday through Thursday -- in 1992, and it's run from 10 p.m. to midnight ever since then.

Until now. Under pressure to improve its audience numbers, KROQ has pushed "Loveline" to a much tougher midnight-to-2 a.m. slot. The station now runs music at 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, "Loveline" has also tapped a new co-host to fill the void left by Ted Stryker, who left the show last year (but who recently returned to KROQ as the station's afternoon drive DJ). Longtime KROQ/"Kevin & Bean" staffer "Psycho Mike" Catherwood, who has regularly filled in as Pinsky's co-host on the show, has now been officially given the gig.

"I'm so honored and excited," Catherwood wrote on the KROQ site. "Hopefully my time working with the best morning radio show in the world (The Kevin & Bean Show) and as a recovering addict will have prepared me to take on this job. I grew up here in L.A. so it's down right surreal for me to be a part of two great Southern California institutions."

Besides "Loveline" originator the Poorman, Pinsky's other past co-hosts include Riki Rachtman, and Adam Carolla (who hosted for 10 years).

Retro Friday: Old School KROQ Edition

ROQ of the 80s... KROQ! Given our post earlier this week about KROQ's recent Arbitron loss to rival 98.7 KYSR, I thought we'd look back to the 1980s era of the "World Famous KROQ."





Above, an early KROQ commercial featuring Richard Blade.

What Happened, KROQ? Rival 98.7 Delivers A Smackdown

What happened, KROQ?

The "World Famous" alt rocker is getting hit by increased competition from 98.7 KYSR-FM, the station once known as "Star 98.7." In the January Arbitron ratings, 98.7 posted a cume of 2.2 million listeners -- compared to KROQ's 2.1 million.

KROQ wins in certain demos, and still dominates in the morning -- but the fact that one-time also-ran 98.7 is now beating KROQ among total listeners 6+ is still surprising and a concern for tge legendary station.

Ever since moving away from modern adult contemporary music, and more into a heavy mix of 1980s and 1990s alternative gold that KROQ has mostly dumped, 98.7 has become a more solid competitor.

98.7, which also plays new music, also began to see its fortunes rise after Indie 103.1 left the airwaves. (98.7 even picked up a few old Indie shows, including "Complete Control Radio.")

Ironically, Clear Channel -- which owns KYSR -- originally helped launch Indie 103.1 as a "KROQ killer." But once it had to divest its management of Indie (which it ran for owner Entravision), Clear Channel turned its attention to making over 98.7 into a stronger competitor.

Since then, 98.7 has added harder alt rock to its mix -- although still softer and more mainstream than CBS Radio-owned KROQ.

"It's the result of a very focused music strategy and plan to win the lion’s share of the alternative rock audience in Southern California," Greg Ashlock, Clear Channel/LA market president, told LARadio.com. "The secret sauce is authenticity. The 98-7 staff from top to bottom passionately believes in this station and treats work like a playground. There is no hype, just genuine interest in delivering good product to the alternative rock lovers."

Authenticity? No hype? Then what's with the most annoying -- and most corporate-sounding -- marketing campaign I've ever seen for a rock station? 98.7 still insists on calling its audience "Rock-a-holics" -- which sounds like a term a 1970s-era album rock station would use ("HEY, ROCK-A-HOLICS, HERE'S STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!"). No self-respecting, genuine alt rock station would go with the marketing and image campaign that 98.7 has (including that font -- are they trying to be tongue-in-cheek? If so, I can't tell -- or maybe I just can't fathom Clear Channel having a sense of humor). But I guess it's working.

KROQ isn't sitting down. The station just brought Ted Stryker back to KROQ (from sister top 40 KAMP) to host afternoon drivetime. The station has weathered several competitors through the years, but this may be its toughest challenge yet.

Former 98.7 Morning Host Jamie White Arrested

Former KYSR 98.7 morning drive host Jamie White -- who spent several years at the station, partnered first with Frosty Stilwell and Frank Kramer, then Danny Bonaduce, and then Jack Heine and Mike "Stench" Roberts -- was arrested earlier this month in Los Angeles on undisclosed charges (although Radio-Info posters speculate on those charges here).

"Jamie, Jack and Stench" were dropped by Clear Channel and 98.7 at the end of 2006; just recently, White resurfaced on Sacramento's "106.5 The Buzz," a show she reportedly does via remote from her home in Denver.

June Radio Ratings: KIIS Still On Top, Amp Strong But Stalled

The June Arbitron radio ratings are in, and there aren't many surprises. Top 40 KIIS-FM is still tops, followed by yakker KFI-AM. KIIS dropped a tad, from a 5.3 share to a 5.0 share, yet new rival KLSX (now KAMP) "Amp 97.1" didn't benefit, as it held steady with a 3.9 share.

Biggest change actually came in the form of a swap of fortunes between AC KOST-FM and Classic Hits KRTH-FM. In third last time with a 4.3, KRTH is now tied for fourth at a 3.9, while KOST, tied for fourth last time with a 3.9, is now third with a 4.4.

Among new stations, Spanish KXOS-FM, which took the spot formerly held by KMVN "Movin' 93.9," was a non-starter, dropping from Movin's already-low share. And the alternative race continues to be tight, as KROQ (2.9) narrowly squeaks past KYSR "98.7" (2.8).

As always, these are total audience numbers for listeners age 6 and up, which are fine for bragging rights, but radio execs (like in TV) pay more attention to demos.

Kennedy Takes Over Mornings at 98.7 KYSR

Former MTV VJ and Fox Reality Channel "Reality Remix" host Kennedy (real name: Lisa Kennedy Montgomery) is taking over mornings at alternative rock station KYSR-FM (98.7). She'll be paired with Darren Rose, who will provide entertainment tidbits and news.

The morning show will still be music-intensive; 98.7 (the station formerly known as "Star 98.7") has been all music in the mornings since shutting down its Ozomatli experiment last year.

98.7 has actually been surprisingly competitive vs. KROQ in dayparts outside of mornings, where KROQ is still dominant, thanks to "Kevin & Bean."

Kennedy has already been working at KYSR parent Clear Channel; she's also regularly heard on KFI-AM with host Brian Suits.