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)

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.

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).

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?

MIKE ON RADIO: Talking "Orphan Black," Spoilers, Seacrest and the First Lady on KCRW's "Press Play"

For my usual Monday appearance on KCRW's "Press Play," this week we talked about a wide variety of topics, including the departure of creator Aaron MacGruder off Cartoon Network's "The Boondocks"; the bingeworthiness of BBC America's "Orphan Black"; how Ryan Seacrest is doing new deals with "American Idol" and Clear Channel; First Lady Michelle Obama's TV appearances; and how we live in the age of the spoiler alert.

Listen below!

Radio Ratings: Three-Way Tie for First Place in February

In February, Clear Channel pulled off a hat trick at No. 1 in the Los Angeles radio Arbitron ratings. Adult contemporary KOST, hot AC KBIG and top 40 KIIS (all owned by Clear Channel), split a three-way tie for a 5.2% (each) share of the persons 12+ listening audience.

Granted, the 12+ measurement isn't actually sold to advertisers, and is more bragging rights than anyone else. Still, not a bad showing for the radio behemoth out here.

In fourth: KPWR "Power 106" (4.6 share), while KRTH "K-Earth 101" and KAMP "Amp Radio" tied for fifth (4.4 share).

It was a great month for Power 106, which also averaged its best numbers in at least a year among adults 18-34 (8.5 share). KIIS was solo tops with listeners 25-54.

Meanwhile, in the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. morning drive competition, KROQ's Kevin & Bean dominated in listeners 12+ (5.7) and 25-54 (7.8). KIIS' Ryan Seacrest was second in both measurements, but was No. 1 with listeners 18-34 (7.1 share).

Big TV Mysteries, Answered

(from the Jan. 6 edition of TV Guide Magazine)

By Stephen Battaglio and Michael Schneider

The TV viewing experience gets more complicated all the time. That’s why we asked you to submit questions on Facebook about the intricacies and inanities of the TV industry. Here are the answers to the five most common queries.

Why can’t the broadcast networks produce cutting-edge shows like The Walking Dead?

“That’s a bit of a crock,” says one network executive. “Scandal, The Good Wife and The Blacklist could easily be great cable shows, and people would say, ‘Why doesn’t broadcast do that?’” But it’s also true that, beyond a handful of shows like AMC’s The Walking Dead and FX’s Sons of Anarchy (both of which post broadcast-size ratings), most of cable’s critical darlings still reach a niche audience much smaller than the big crowds broadcast TV requires. That’s especially the case early in a show’s run. “Breaking Bad would have been canceled for lack of audience after its first year if it was on broadcast,” the exec notes.

When does the law to bring down the volume on commercials take effect?

It already has! The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act began on December 13, 2012. The FCC rule requires TV commercials to have the same average volume level as the programs on which they appear. The FCC is relying on viewers to help enforce the rule, so if you think a broadcast or cable channel is in violation you can file a complaint electronically at fcc.gov/complaints. Click on the “Loud Commercials” button and you’ll be directed to the form.

Why does Downton Abbey air so many months later here than in the U.K.?

The delay between the U.K. airings in the fall and the American premiere in January helps generate interest in the show and proves to be a ratings boon, according to PBS president Paula Kerger. “We look at how we can get promotion and buzz around the series, and the fact that people talk about it and that word of mouth travels once it premieres in the U.K. has benefited us,” she has said. The numbers back her up. Downton Abbey is the highest-rated drama series in the history of public television, with 12.3 million viewers watching the Season 3 finale last February. In the age of binge-watching, asking viewers to keep a lid on spoilers no longer seems like a big risk.

Why can’t I just subscribe to the cable networks I watch?

Sen. John McCain has pushed legislation that would give consumers the opportunity to buy channels on an à la carte basis. But only paying for the networks you watch doesn’t mean your cable bill will be lower. When large media companies negotiate with cable operators to carry their channels, they demand that their lesser-known channels be included in a package with the popular ones. If the cable operators refuse to carry those smaller networks, the owners simply charge higher carriage fees for their more widely viewed channels—and that cost would be passed on to subscribers. An investment bank recently determined that cable subscribers would pay $20 to $30 a month for ESPN if it were offered on a stand-alone basis instead of as part of a bundle. The best way to lower your cable bill is to call your local operator and say you want to cancel your service. There’s a good chance you can cut a deal to pay less.

How is Ryan Seacrest able to work for so many networks?

Despite his stature as the last remaining original star of American Idol, which made him a household name, Ryan Seacrest isn’t beholden to Fox. Last summer, he hosted NBC’s The Million Second Quiz. He’s in Times Square every year to emcee ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest. Until recently, he anchored E!’s E! News Daily. (He’s also a producer of several shows, including Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Shahs of Sunset.) Doesn’t Fox have any exclusivity on Seacrest’s services? The network does—sort of. Under the terms of his $15 million-a-year deal, Seacrest can’t host another show that would be considered a competitor to Idol (in other words, your job on The Voice is safe, Carson Daly). But that means any other type of show is fair game. And workaholic Seacrest seems willing to test the limits of how many employers one TV star can have.

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%).

L.A. September Radio Ratings: KIIS Back On Top; El Mandril Extends Morning Streak

KLAX-FM morning host Ricardo "El Mandril" Sanchez (above), who recently scored a glowing Page 1 profile in the Los Angeles Times, has now won his fourth month in a row as the No. 1 morning radio show in Los Angeles. According to the recently released Arbitron ratings for September, El Mandril received a 6.9% share of the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. audience among listeners over the age of 12.

El Mandril was also a dominant No. 1 with listeners 18-34, averaging a 11.5% share. And he was No. 1 with listeners 25-54 (8.2% share).

KROQ's Kevin & Bean landed the most-listened-to morning show among English speakers, and No. 2 overall, in listeners 12+ (4.9%) and 25-54 (6.5%). KIIS' Ryan Seacrest was No. 2 with the 18-34 crowd (7.2%).

In total day (6 a.m. to midnight) listening, KIIS-FM is back to No. 1 after ceding the top spot to KBIG the last five months. Here are the rankings:

Persons 12+
1. KIIS 5.8
2. KBIG ("My FM") 5.6
3. KOST 4.2
t. KAMP ("Amp Radio") 4.2
5. KRTH ("K-Earth") 4.1
6. KPWR ("Power 106") 3.9
7. KLVE 3.8
8. KLAX ("La Raza") 3.7
9. KTWV ("The Wave") 3.4 t. KROQ 3.4

Persons 18-34
1. KIIS 9.2
2. KPWR 7.6
3. KAMP 6.4
t. KBIG 6.4
5. KLAX 4.7

Persons 25-54
1. KBIG 6.0
2. KIIS 5.6
3. KLAX 4.4
4. KROQ 4.2
5. KAMP 4.1

L.A. Radio Ratings: The Return of Spanish Radio Dominance? And What's Happening to KFI?

For a second month in a row, KLAX-FM's "El Mandril" locked the No. 1 spot in morning drive among listeners over the age of 12, as well as in the persons 18-34 demo. He was No. 2 with listeners 25-54. Not bad for a morning show that was ranked No. 13 as recently as the end of December.

Also on the rise: KSCA-FM, which rose dramatically in July -- in part thanks to the controversy surrounding the firing of host Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, who was removed from the show on July 22. In his final month on the air, Piolin rose to fourth place in mornings (and No. 3 with 25-54), having been in 12th place as recently as January.

But Piolin had already been back on the rise in 2013, having jumped from a 3.0 share in January to a 4.2 in April. (Which is why it was clear he wasn't removed for ratings reasons -- and allegations of sexual harassment have emerged.) Have listening habits changed that much over the past seven months? Much more likely, a change in the makeup Arbitron's local roster of Personal People Meter (PPM) users has brought in a few more listeners more likely to listen to Spanish-language radio.

Perhaps the new panel has also lost a few older listeners, as news/talk KFI has seen its share of listeners also tumble. The morning mix of Bill Handel and Rush Limbaugh is still No. 2 overall, but at a 4.9 share-- much smaller than the 8.1 share from August 2012 (granted, during a busy election cycle). The change is much more noticable in KFI's 6 a.m. to midnight listenership: In July, the station averaged a 3.2 share, putting it in a tie for 11th place. As recently as April, KFI was in fourth place, with a 4.3 share.

In morning drive, after KLAX (5.5) and KFI (4.9), KROQ's "Kevin & Bean Show" was third, with a 4.8 share, followed by KSCA (4.4) and KIIS' Ryan Seacrest in fifth (4.0). Among listeners 25-54, KROQ is No. 1 (6.8), followed by KLAX (6.5), KSCA (4.7), KIIS (4.6) and a tie between KBIG's Valentine and KBUE's "Don Cheto" (4.5).

Overall, from 6 a.m. to midnight, KBIG continued its winning streak with listeners 12+ (5.3), followed by KIIS (5.1), KOST (4.6), KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.4) and KPWR "Power 106" (4.2). With listeners 25-54, KBIG led (5.7), then KIIS (5.2), KROQ (4.5) and a tie between KSCA and KAMP (4.1).

L.A. Radio Ratings: Meet Los Angeles' New No. 1 Morning Host

There's a new king of the morning airwaves in Los Angeles. KFI, KROQ and KIIS have been competing for the morning drive crown over the past few years, but in June a surprise comer beat them all: Ricardo 'El Mandril' Sanchez, the morning host on KLAX-FM ("97.9 La Raza").

In the just-completed June 2013 Arbitron book for Los Angeles, KLAX's El Mandril was first among listeners 12+, with a 5.2% share of the audience. KFI's Bill Handel (5.1), KROQ's Kevin & Bean (4.9) and KIIS-FM's Ryan Seacrest (4.6) followed. Kevin & Bean won the money demo -- the important 25-54 crowd -- with a 6.8% share, while El Mandril was also tops with the young folks 18-34 (8.0% share).

El Mandril's surge began in May, when he rocketed to No. 4 in listeners 12+ and No. 2 with persons 25-54. During the holidays, he had dropped as low as No. 13. But clearly he must be doing something right. I asked the folks at KLAX owners SBS if a strategic marketing campaign or a big contest fueled the surge, but they wouldn't say.

"It's not just one thing that the Mandril team has done but a long trajectory of grass roots, humanitarian and good will efforts backed by a sense of humor that has helped propel him to #1," says Eric Osuna, vice president sales at SBS.

Meanwhile, in the overall 6 a.m. to midnight ratings, KBIG "My 104.3" continued its winning streak with listeners 12+, landing at No. 1 for the fourth time in five months (5.5% share). KIIS (5.4) was second, then KOST and KAMP "Amp Radio" tied for third (4.2), followed by KPWR "Power 106" (3.9), KFI (3.8), KRTH "K-Earth" (3.8), KROQ (3.5), Spanish KSCA "LA 101.9" (3.5) and KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.4).

KBIG was also No. 1 with adults 25-54 (6.2), then KIIS (5.8), KROQ (4.3), KAMP (4.2), and KSCA (4.1). KIIS dominated adults 18-34 (8.3), then KPWR (7.2), KAMP (6.2), KBIG (5.7) and Spanish KBUE "Que Buena 105.5" (5.3).

As for El Mandril, he seems to be having quite a good time:

March Arbitrons: Ryan Seacrest Gets a "10"

What's the deal with Ryan Seacrest? His KIIS-FM morning show posted a 10 share this March among listeners aged 18-34, the first double-digit share in the demo over at least the last year. That made him easily No. 1 among young adults. KROQ's Kevin & Bean dominated the money demo, adults 25-54, with a 7.5 share of the audience. And in listeners 12+, KFI's Bill Handel was No. 1 (thanks to his older audience).

In total day ratings, KIIS-FM also reclaimed the No. 1 spot among persons 12+, with a 5.7 share, followed by KBIG "My 104.3" (5.4), KOST-FM (4.6), KFI-AM (4.3), KAMP "Amp Radio" (4.0, its best showing in a year), KPWR "Power 106" (3.9), KRTH "K-Earth 101" (3.7), KROQ-FM (3.4), KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.3) and KSCA (3.2, its best in a year).

KIIS was also No. 1 in 18-34 (9.3), while KBIG was No. 1 with 25-54 (6.2).

Holiday 2012 Arbitron Ratings: KOST's Christmas Creams The Competition

Santa was very, very good to KOST-FM this holiday season. The station's all-Christmas music format once again dominated Arbitron's Holiday 2012 ratings book in Los Angeles, averaging a 10.1 share of all audiences 12+. The station was also No. 1 with persons 25-54 (9.6 share) and No. 2 (behind KIIS) with persons 18-34.

It was a nice jump for KOST over holiday 2011, when the station was tops with an 8.4 share. (KOST was also No. 1 in the December 2012 book -- as its Christmas format starts by mid-November.) As a matter of fact, this is the best Holiday showing for KOST in recent memory: It posted a 9.3 share in holiday 2010 and an 8.1 share in holiday 2009. Apparently no one's tired yet of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You." (You should be. But that's a debate for a different time.)

Among listeners 12+, here's the rest of the top ten for holiday 2012: KIIS-FM (5.3 share, up from 4.0 share during holiday 2011); KBIG "My 104.3" (4.8, up from 3.5); KTWV "The Wave" (4.1, up from 3.8); KFI-AM (3.8, down from 4.7); KRTH "K-Earth 101" (3.5, up from 3.3); KPWR "Power 106" (3.5, down from 4.4); KHHT "Hot 92.3" (3.4, up from 2.8); KROQ (3.3, up from 2.7); and KAMP "Amp Radio 97.1" (3.2, down from 4.1).

In the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. morning drive race, KOST's Christmas music (hosted by "Mark and Kristin") dominated among listeners 12+ (8.2 share). That was followed by KFI's Bill Handel/Rush Limbaugh (5.6), KIIS' Ryan Seacrest (4.8), KROQ's Kevin & Bean (4.7) and KBIG's Valentine (4.4).

Kevin & Bean were tops with persons 18-34, followed by Seacrest. Mark & Kim led the 25-54 race, followed by Kevin & Bean.

Meanwhile, also-ran AM talker KABC -- which dipped down to a 0.9 and literally gets a 0 share among 18-34 year olds, is once again under new leadership as Drew Hayes (who once ran the station here but has more recently been at Chicago's WLS) returns to shake things up.

More Kardashian For Your Flight, As E! News Comes to LAX

Looking for a way to bring a little more Kardashian to your plane ride? An "E! News"-branded store is about to open in LAX's Terminal 8:

The 2,100 square-foot newsstand is one of the largest in the airport and will feature a variety of products, from snacks, beverages and travel supplies to exclusive E!-branded merchandise.

The E! News store at LAX will be a must-visit destination for fans flying to and from Los Angeles and will reflect the look and feel of the city from the merchandise to the decor. The interior of the store will feature images of iconic Southern California landmarks and destinations, as well as boulevards lined with towering palms, the glittering lights of the Los Angeles skyline at dusk, and the golden beaches of Malibu. While travelers browse the store late-breaking entertainment and pop culture news direct from E! News will be broadcast on large plasma screens throughout the store, ensuring that fans don’t miss a minute of the information they crave.

LAX... Now With More Seacrest.

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.

Carson Daly Joins The L.A. Morning Drive Time Radio Wars This Morning

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Carson Daly takes over the KAMP-FM (97.1) "Amp Radio" morning drive show this morning, pitting him against fellow radio-DJ-turned-TV-star-and-producer-yet-still-a-radio-DJ Ryan Seacrest (who's replaced Rick Dees on KIIS-FM in 2004).

The L.A. Times recently spoke to Daly, who stressed that his show would focus much more on music, and less on chatter, compared to Seacrest:

Daly, who'll be on from 6 to 10 a.m. weekdays, promises no sidekicks, no celebrity sleaze, no morning zoo. "This is about music. I'm not going to go on for four hours and talk," he said...

The parallels are striking -- for example, both used L.A. radio as a springboard, Daly at KROQ and Seacrest when he was on afternoons at KYSR-FM (98.7) until 2003. They've hosted TV music shows that became pop culture phenomena -- "Total Request Live" vs. "American Idol." Both have branched out as executives on the other side of the camera or microphone. And now they helm morning-drive shows on the two most popular contemporary-hits radio stations in L.A.

"I get it," said Daly, 36. "Ryan and I laugh about it. We're friends. We have dinner every year this week," when both are in New York hosting their respective New Year's Eve countdown shows, Daly on NBC and Seacrest on ABC.

So don't expect any feuding or a blacklisting of guests who appear on the rival's show. Instead, they might even guest for each other.

"We'd be foolish not to try and put our brains together to try and do something cool," Daly said, then paused: "I think we'd be better served to do something charitable. Like something for Earth Day."

Here's where the small world factor comes in: Daly got his start as a 16-year-old intern for Jimmy Kimmel at KCMG-FM in Palm Springs. Kimmel, the one-time KROQ sports guy, was until recently the executive producer of Adam Carolla's morning show when 97.1 was "FM Talk" KLSX-FM. Daly is now taking over that slot.

MEANWHILE, Daly's hire finally completes the missing DJ link for KAMP, joining midday DJ Chris Booker, afternoon drive time host Ted Stryker and nighttimer Casey McCabe. Strangely, all four -- Daly, Booker, Stryker and McCabe -- came to KAMP with a modern rock DJ background. Now, instead of spinning Rage Against the Machine, they're the voices intro'ing Lady Gaga.

That brings us to this question...

Get Ready for A Morning Drive Smackdown Between Carson Daly and Ryan Seacrest

CBS Radio announced Tuesday that former DJ-turned-MTV host-turned NBC late night gabber Carson Daly is taking the morning drive gig on its KAMP-FM 97.1 "Amp Radio."

Daly represents the latest KROQ alum to join Amp (KROQ's sister station) as a DJ (where other ex-KROQers like Ted Stryker now also work). He also reps the latest spawn of "Kevin & Bean" to take on his former bosses (something "K&B" alum Adam Carolla did on, yes, FM Talk KLSX 97.1 before that station flipped to top 40).

Of course, the fun part will be watching to see if Daly makes a dent at all in Ryan Seacrest's top-rated morning show on rival top 40 KIIS-FM. Daly, if you recall, was originally considered the modern-day successor to folks like Dick Clark -- until Seacrest came along and stole his thunder.

Daly starts on Jan. 4.