Clear Channel, CBS stations dominate ratings

KIIS-FM (102.7) was Los Angeles radio's dominant force once again, based on the monthly Arbitron ratings released this week. While down a half point to 5.1, the station was still a half point better than KOST (103.5 FM) at 4.6.

With KFI's (640 AM) third-place 4.3 - its highest rating since at least November 2010 - owner Clear Channel had a 1-2-3 sweep. Add in 10th place KBIG (flat at 3.3), and the company had four of the top 10 stations in town - an amazing feat.

But wait: Though CBS didn't have quite the dominance as Clear Channel, it also controlled much of the top 10, with fourth-place KRTH's (101.1 FM) 4.2, a sixth-place tie between KNX (1070 AM) and KROQ (106.7 FM) at 3.5, and a 10th-place tie between Amp Radio (97.1 FM) and sister The Wave (94.7 FM) - matching Clear Channel's KBIG at 3.3.

What it comes down to is that two companies own nine of the top 11 stations in town.

In my opinion, that is market dominance that needs to be broken up. Last time something like that happened, the Federal Communications Commission broke up NBC and forced the launch of ABC, which later became one of America's premier networks.

Regardless, the month was very kind to KNX which, at 3.5, earned its highest rating in 16 years and was only a half share down from its

highest rating of the last quarter-century. KNX tallied almost 1.4 million listeners per week, giving it the largest audience of any non-music station in town.

Everyone at KNX, especially programmer Andy Ludlum, deserves accolades.

At the same time, Go Country (105.1 FM) continued its climb, coming in with a 2.2 rating, good for 20th place. And sister KGIL (1260 AM), in its last month as a standards/oldies station, came in at 0.2. It will be interesting to watch the ratings with the switch to classical.

Some unusual showings for the month: KFI's Internet stream finished at 0.2; combine that with the broadcast numbers and the station had a 4.5 share.

Meanwhile, KROQ's stream pulled in a 0.1 share. While that may seem insignificant, it shows that the Internet has the potential to change the face of radio, especially as smartphones become more popular.

Rounding out the unusual: San Diego's KOGO (600 AM) earned its first Los Angeles rating ever, I believe, at 0.1.

Here's the full story: Each rating is an estimate of the percentage of listeners age 6 and older tuned to a station between 6 a.m. and midnight.

1. KIIS-FM (5.1); 2. KOST (4.6); 3. KFI (4.3); 4. KRTH (4.2); 5. Power 106 (3.6); 6. KNX, KROQ (3.5); 8. KLVE (3.4); 9. Amp Radio, KBIG, KTWV (3.3).

12. Jack-FM (3.0); 13. KLOS (3.0); 14. KBUE, Hot 92.3 (2.6); 16. KRCD, KYSR (2.5); 18. KLAX (2.4); 19. KSCA (2.3); 20. Go Country (2.2).

21. KXOL, KXOS (2.1); 23. The Sound (2.0); 24. KUSC (1.8); 25. KDAY, KDLD, KSSE (1.6); 28. KHJ (1.5); 29. The Fish, KPCC (1.3).

31. KLYY (1.2); 32. KABC (1.1); 33. KCRW, KJLH, KSPN, KWKW (1.0); 37. KFWB, KLAC, KWIZ (0.7).

40. KJLL, KKJZ, KTLK (0.6); 43. KRLA (0.5); 44. KKLA, KSFV (0.4); 46. KLAA, KMRO, KOLA, KTNQ (0.3).

50. KCAQ, KDIS, KFI Stream, K-FROG, KGGI, KGIL, KLTX, KWVE, XPRS (0.2); 59. KGMX, KOGO, KPFK, KROQ Stream, XKAM (0.1).

Here comes Dees

Rick Dees is returning to the L.A. airwaves. Starting May 4, "Rick Dees in the Morning" will be heard on Hot 92.3 FM, bringing back such popular features as the Candid Phone.

Richard Wagoner is a freelance writer based in San Pedro. Send questions to him via email at rwagoner@cox.net.

�

Kristen Bell Sara Spraker Adrianne Curry Audrina Patridge Kim Kardashian