Radio AM to FM - October 22, 1999

Radio AM to FM: October 22, 1999

Catch me if you can:

Mega 100 (KCMG, 100.3 FM) has been trying to win the Los Angeles oldies ever since they stole the KRLA (1110 AM) format a couple years ago. Since that time they have evolved into a completely new format ... each week ... and they have come close, but not quite caught up with, perennial leader KRTH (101.1 FM). That reality is in spite of KRTH's generally declining ratings over the past three years.

The Summer Arbitron was no different, as KRTH declined 0.3 to 2.6 and Mega dropped 0.1 to 2.4. Close, but no cigar.

The talk wars similarly remained essentially the same too, with KFI (640 AM) leading the pack by increasing to 3.5 from 3.3, KABC (790 AM) up to 2.4 from 2.3, KLSX (97.1 FM) flat at 2.2, and KRLA up 0.1 to 0.9. Note that almost one year after dropping oldies for talk, KRLA isn't doing any better than it was before. And its doing worse than it was before manager Bob Moore let everyone leave for KRTH.

But, I hear you cry, who is the overall leader in Los Angeles radio? No change there either, as KSCA (101.9 FM) takes first again with a 6.0 (down from 6.2) and KLVE (107.5 FM) takes second with a flat 5.9. Rounding out the overall top-five is KIIS (102.7 FM), KROQ (106.7 FM), and Power 106 (KPWR, 105.9 FM) ... same as it ever was.

Were there any surprises in the Summer Book? Well, KDIS (710 AM) earned its highest rating ever as a children's music station: 0.3 compared with no showing last Spring. Considering that Arbitron only rates listeners aged 12 and over, it would appear that some teens and adults are catching on to Disney's little secret: KDIS actually plays decent music.

The simulcast of KACD/KBCD (103.1) -- aka "Channel 103.1" -- was up to 0.7 from 0.6 ... almost matching it's highest rating ever but still not enough to shut up the people still clamoring for a return of the (ugh) Groove format. It probably doesn't matter anyway, since Clear Channel will probably sell it to a Spanish broadcaster anyway as part of their AMFM acquisition.

Due to a drop in the ratings fortunes of KOST (103.5 FM), Star 98.7 FM (KYSR) is "this close" to taking the "adult Contemporary" prize. For the quarter, KOST earned a 3.0 share; Star was right behind at 2.9.

And just in time for a sale to Hispanic Broadcasting and an almost sure format change to Spanish, KACE/KRTO inched up to 0.9 from 0.7.

The Summer Arbitrons: Ratings are an estimate of the percentage of listeners aged 12 and over tuned to a station between the hours of 6 am and 12 midnight.

1. KSCA (6.0) 2. KLVE (5.9) 3. KIIS-FM (4.8) 4. KROQ (4.0) 5. KPWR (3.9) 6. KFI (3.5) 7. (tie) KKBT, KBUE, KTWV (3.3) 10. KOST (3.0)

11. KYSR (2.9) 12. KLAX (2.8) 13. KRTH (2.6) 14. KCBS-FM (2.5) 15. (tie) KABC, KCMG, KNX, KSSE (2.4) 19. KBIG (2.3) 20. KLSX (2.2)

21. (tie) KLOS, KZLA (2.1) 23. KFWB (1.7) 24. (tie) KJLH, KKHJ, KLAC (1.6) 27. KKGO (1.4) 28. KTNQ (1.3) 29. (tie) KACE/KRTO, KRLA (0.9)

31. (tie) KACD/KBCD, KLYY, KWVE (0.7) 34. (tie) KBLA, KGIL, KGXL, KIEV (0.6) 37. (tie) KIKF-FM, KXTA, KWIZ, KWKW, XTRA (0.5) 42. KKLA-AM/FM (0.4) 43. KDIS (0.3)

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