Radio Waves Podcast #219

Radio: May 4, 2018

Perhaps it is statistically insignificant, but it must be a nice feeling for the staff of KOST (103.5 FM) that the station finally led the Los Angeles ratings outside of the holiday music season. It happened in the March Nielsen ratings released in late April when KOST jumped more than a half point from February (to 5.9 from 5.3) and former leader and sister station KBIG (104.3 FM)dropped almost a half point (to 5.7 from 6.1).

Rounding the top five were KRTH at 5.0 and a fourth-place tie between KIIS-FM (102.7) and KTWV at 4.7; each rating is an estimate of the average percentage of radio listeners aged 6 and over tuned to a station between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 midnight.

KFI (640 AM) was the top-rated AM station, coming in 6th place with a 4.2 share. The next closest AM was KNX (1070), which was 10th at 3.2. After that you have to look pretty far for another station from the oldest broadcast band: KRLA (870 AM) was 29th with a 1.1, just ahead of KSPN (710 AM) which tied KLYY (97.5 FM) for 30th with a share of 1.0.

As already listed, KIIS-FM was the top-rated hit music station, competitor Amp Radio KAMP (97.1 FM) was almost two full points behind at 2.9. Power 106 KPWR (105.9 FM) was slightly below that at 2.6 but did manage to stay above its direct competition Real 92.3, which earned a 2.4.

The top-rated alternative station in town was Alt 98.7 KYSR but just by a hair: Alt’s 2.4 tie with Real was enough to stay above KROQ’s (106.7 FM) 2.2.

It was not a good month for country music ... Go Country KKGO (105.1 FM) was down a half point to 2.0 compared with February. This actually makes me think that the March ratings month has a few problems, as the station has been averaging much higher for the past year. I do know that a few changes in the way Nielsen’s Portable People Meters are distributed can have a huge effect on ratings, showing more than anything that the system is inherently flawed. Unfortunately its the best we have right now.

KPCC (89.3 FM) was down slightly from from the 3.0 share it had in February, but the April 2.7 gave it a full 1 point lead above KCRW (89.9 FM) and bragging rights to being the most popular noncommercial station in town.

The full story:

1. KOST (5.9) 2. KBIG (5.7) 3. KRTH (5.0) 4. KIIS-FM, KTWV (4.7) 6. KFI (4.2) 7. KCBS-FM (3.8) 8. KLVE (3.6) 9. KLAX (3.4) 10. KNX (3.2)

11 KAMP (2.9) 12 KLOS, KRCD (2.8) 14. KPCC (2.7) 15. KPWR (2.6) 16. KRRL, KYSR (2.4) 18. KSCA, KXOL (2.3) 20 KROQ, KXOS (2.2)

22. KKGO (2.0) 23. KBUE (1.9) 24. KCRW (1.7) 25. KJLH, KUSC (1.6) 27. KDAY (1.4) 28. KSSE (1.2) 29. KRLA (1.1) 30. KLYY, KSPN (1.0)

32. KEIB, KWIZ (0.9) 34. KKJZ, KKLQ (0.8) 36. KFWB (0.7) 37. KABC, KFSH, KLAC, KYLA (0.5) 41. KSUR (0.4) 42. KWKW (0.3) 43. KKLA, KTNQ (0.2)

Frightening fact: The top-two radio companies, iHeart Media and Entercom, command 48.5 percent of the radio audience. 

Bean Back

Gene Ryder, aka Bean on KROQ’s Kevin and Bean Show, was back on the air as of last Monday. While he was off the air, rumors were circulating that he was taking a leave of absence in part to protest pay cuts and related issues. Personally I hope that is true. Regardless, it’s nice to have him back.