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:

August Arbitron Ratings: Big Month for KIIS-FM and Kevin & Bean

The summer of KIIS-FM continues, as the top 40 powerhouse ended August once again in first place, according to Arbitron portable people meter data. Among persons 12+, KIIS posted a 5.5 share of the Los Angeles market audience, unchanged from July and June. Hot AC KBIG ("My 104.3") was in second, with a 4.9 share, followed closely by talker KFI-AM (4.8) and AC KOST-FM (4.3). All four top stations are owned by Clear Channel.

Rounding out the top ten: Hip-hop KPWR (Power 106), classic hits KRTH "K-Earth 101" (3.9), top 40 KAMP-FM "Amp Radio" (3.8), oldies KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.6, a big jump from 3.0), Spanish KLVE (3.3) and alternative KROQ (3.3).

Among the public stations, KPCC dipped to a 1.6, while KUSC (1.1, up from 0.9) and KCRW (1.0, up from 0.7) saw gains.

In morning drive, KROQ's Kevin & Bean dominate in every demo, garnering an 8.9 share with persons 18-34, a dominant first place win over No. 2, KPWR's Big Boy (6.2). KIIS' Ryan Seacrest is third (5.2). (By the way, among listeners 18-34, the race has gotten tight between rival top 40 morning show hosts -- and rival TV singing competition hosts -- Seacrest and Carson Daly.)

Kevin & Bean are also a clear No. 1 with adults 25-54 (7.5), ahead of KFI's Bill Handel (4.9). Handel's older audience is big enough that KFI wins overall with persons 12+ in the morning.

Retro Friday: Radio Wars

Check out this news report from 1989 on then-KHJ Channel 9. It's a sweeps piece on the local radio ratings war, focusing on KIIS' Rick Dees and KPWR's Jay Thomas.

Below, an aircheck of Thomas doing his Power 106 show; and below that, a three-part John Beard/KNBC interview with Dees in his KIIS heyday.

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.

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!

January 2011 Arbitron Ratings: With Christmas Over, KIIS Back at No. 1

With the holidays over -- and KOST's annual wall-to-wall Christmas format back in storage alongside the tinsel and ornaments until November -- top 40 KIIS is back at the top of the Los Angeles market radio ratings.

According to Arbitron, KIIS dominated the market among listeners 6+ in January, averaging a 5.7 percent share of the audience (and a cume of more than 4 million listeners).

Adult contemporary KOST, still enjoying a holiday halo, was second, with a 5.0% share. Oldies KRTH ("K-Earth") was third, with a steady 4.4 share. That was followed by talker KFI-AM, which rebounded to a 4.1 share (having dipped during the holidays).

Spanish KLVE (3.9), hip hop KPWR (3.5), top 40 KAMP (3.5), alternative KROQ (3.3), smooth jazz KTWV (3.2), AC KBIG (3.0) and variety hits KCBS (3.0) rounded out the top 10.

KPCC led all public radio stations in January.

Read the full report here. And keep in mind that these 6+ ratings are for bragging rights and nothing more, as radio uses demo info in selling ad time.

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.

Power 106's Big Boy Parodies Ted Williams Video

KPWR/Power 106 morning host Big Boy does a parody of the now-famous YouTube video that catapulted homeless Ted Williams into several radio and voiceover jobs.

You probably already saw The Columbus Dispatch video (if not, watch it here): A cameraman drives up to Williams, panhandling on the side of the street. Williams looks bad: Unkempt hair, bad teeth. But then he opens his mouth... and a rich baritone, ready-for-broadcast voice comes out.

Williams, who has struggled for years with addiction and brushes with the law, became an overnight sensation. Many have feared what effect this sudden success might have on his recovery; the news of his detainment by the LAPD the other night didn't help matters.

UPDATE: As a reader notes, 100.3 The Sound's Larry Morgan has also produced a parody:

Retro Friday: Power 106, Circa 1991

Remember when KPWR Power 106 wasn't "where hip hop lives," but was more dance-oriented?

Here's a spot from those days, in 1991. Jay Thomas was still doing mornings; DJs included Joe "the Boomer" Servantez. (Power was still playing dance music into late 1996, before the transformation to all-hip hop and R&B was complete.)

The sound isn't quite synched to the ad here, which is why the visuals keep going after the audio is done.

But man, does this bring me back to senior year of high school. And I didn't even live here at the time! (In Hawaii, our KIKI-FM "Hot I-94" had a very similar format.)

Here's audio of how "Power 106" sounded in 1988, two years after its launch:



And before it turned into "Power 106" in 1986, the station was adult contemporary "Magic 106." Here's an unusual ad starring the band Fear -- with Lee Ving telling you why you shouldn't listen. (Fear did similar ads for various AC stations across the country.)

The L.A. County Fair's Got Gas

I know, it's a play on the current astronomical price of gasoline. But hmm, it also looks like the L.A. County Fair's latest ad campaign was inspired by a certain local radio DJ's quite controversial billboard:

Power 106's Big Boy Goes National

Now Big Boy's billboards won't only offend overly sensitive Westsiders. The KPWR-FM morning host, who's been with Power 106 for well over a decade, is going into nationwide syndication.

ABC Radio Networks confirmed that Big Boy had signed a multi-year deal for his "Big Boy's Neighborhood" program to be distributed around the country.

Most nationally syndicated hosts come out of the East Coast, due to the time zone difference. L.A. morning personalities who have attempted to enter the syndication market, but have failed to make any traction, include Mark & Brian and Rick Dees.

But Big Boy will be offered live in all time zones from 6 a.m to 10 a.m. (I doubt he'll actually be in the studio at 3 a.m. PT; thats what computers are for.) The show hits the national stage on Aug. 20.

From the press release:

Big Boy's image became well known throughout the greater Los Angeles area in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Power 106 placed his nearly-nude 500-plus pound image onto billboards throughout the area, spoofing Hollywood blockbusters.

In the fall of 2003, Big Boy had duodenal switch stomach surgery and over the next year lost over 250 pounds.

Also included in the agreement is the syndication of Big Boy’s weekend show which currently airs on 25 affiliates as Big Boy’s Hip Hop Spot. The weekend show features the hottest headlines in Hip Hop, A-list artist interviews and hit music. After August 25, the show will take on the same name as the weekday morning show Big Boy’s Neighborhood (Weekend Show).

In 2007, Big Boy is nominated for his third prestigious Marconi Award having received the Personality of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in both 2002 and 2004. He was named Personality of the Year six times by Radio & Records and four times by the Radio Music Awards.

Coming to a neighborhood near you: Fart jokes, followed by manufactured outrage!

Big Boy's Got Gas, and One Westsider Is Offended

You've seen these tacky (yet clearly memorable) Power 106/Big Boy billboards throughout town all summer: "Big Boy's Got Gas."

Juvenile way to promote KPWR's free gas campaign? Perhaps. But that's no surprise: Big Boy has starred in many slightly tacky billboard campaigns through the years (remember his "Morning Obsession" Calvin Klein parody, when Big Boy -- then over 500 pounds -- was naked, sprawled across the billboard?)

Nonetheless, WestLAOnline blogger Jim Bursch, who somehow had never heard of or seen Big Boy before (even though the guy has hosted one of L.A.'s top-rated morning shows for ten years) registered his offense:

Context counts, and in this case, the context is a predominantly non-black neighborhood where referring to an adult black man as "boy" is wrong and racist. Also, there are contexts in which fart jokes are funny, but not on a public street where you see the same offensive "joke" every day, day after day.

This is just wrong.

Help us to get this bigoted blight removed by spreading the word that this is offensive and unwelcome.

That led to a series of comments from readers, most of whom tore into Bursch like this:

Big Boy is not a racist caricature, yet to find this offensive that must be how you are viewing him. If it was a white man it would just be a crude fart joke. Even a white man named "Big Boy." You are the one attaching any sort of racial connotation here. You are the one paying attention to the fact that he is black and not just a human being. You are looking for the racial subtext when there is none. It is just a crude fart joke with a man who just happens to answer to the self-chosen name "Big Boy" and just happens to be black.

So, I guess my point is, you are an idiot.

Blogging.la also got into the act, posting a take from contributor Kent Nichols, who wrote:

Jim, stop being scared and drop the white man's burden. You don't need to be offended on behalf of other people, especially not millionaire radio personalities.

Bursch ended the chain of emails yesterday by at least admitting that he enjoyed the exchange. Today, he adds:

So, the billboard has accomplished its primary mission: it has drawn attention to itself. I now know who Big Boy is, and I am actually kind of curious to listen to him to find out why he is so popular.

On the point that the billboard seemed to achieve its goal, I think we can all agree.