Mystery surrounds hiatus of top-rated morning radio show
Until a month ago, Ricardo Sanchez was flying high as Los Angelesâ top-rated local morning radio host.
Then the Spanish-language radio personality known as âEl Mandrilâ disappeared from his slot on KLAX-FM (97.9), the Los Angeles station owned by Spanish Broadcasting System.
Now details are emerging concerning the 47-year-old radio hostâs eviction from L.A. airwaves in early November. Heâs still going to work every day, but his show is no longer being broadcast.
The question is, why?
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Sanchezâs manager, Fernando Schiantarelli, said Monday that Sanchez was pulled from the air during negotiations over his employment contract, which ends next month.
But Schiantarelli also confirmed, as did other industry sources, that Sanchezâs show has been the subject of an investigation by research giant Nielsen, which acquired radio ratings firm Arbitron in late September, into allegations of ratings tampering.
âThere was an investigation raised by some other competitors who were very concerned that Mandril was being so successful,â Schiantarelli said, adding that such investigations â and complaints from rivals â are not uncommon in the industry. He said the investigation didnât turn up anything.
Allegations have been raised that members of Arbitronâs audience panel had been contacted by people connected to Sanchezâs show and encouraged to listen to his program, a violation of Arbitronâs and Nielsenâs practices.
A Nielsen representative said the company had no comment on its investigation, adding, âNielsen Audio is committed to the highest standards of integrity in our data and our panels.â
A KLAX programming executive also confirmed that Sanchezâs program was taken off the air because of an investigation. The executive referred The Times to top company executives who did not return repeated calls for comment Monday.
Schiantarelli said a top SBS executive told the janitor-turned-radio star to show up to work every day but sit around âdoing nothing.â
âMandril is not out because he has been suspended,â Schiantarelli said. âHe is out because SBS considered this the best way to pressure him into negotiating their conditions for a new contract.â
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Sanchez and Schiantarelli both said they have never been told that an investigation had anything to do with the show going off the air. They denied any wrongdoing.
In an interview, Sanchez said he was told by SBSâ chief operating officer, Albert Rodriguez, that he was being taken off the air but wasnât given a specific reason why. He said he was asked about traveling to Miami this week to negotiate his contract.
âBut the contract they sent me is not convenient for me or my team,â Sanchez said.
Rodriguez did not return calls seeking comment.
Although he is off the air in SBSâ major markets in L.A., Chicago and San Francisco, Sanchez said he continues to record in another studio for programs that air in more than three dozen other markets.
Although his contract ends Jan. 13, as of this week Sanchez is free to seek out a contract with another media company.
âAt the moment, Iâm doing what they asked me to do,â Sanchez said of SBS. âAnd as employers, they continue to pay me.â
In April, Sanchez surpassed former Univision Communications Inc. star Eddie âPiolinâ Sotelo in the ratings on his way to becoming the No. 1 morning host in L.A. Soteloâs syndicated program was canceled in July amid allegations of sexual harassment, which Sotelo has denied.
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On Monday, Univision â which had been thought to be a possible destination should Sanchez leave SBS â rolled out a new program called âEl Bueno, la Mala y el Feoâ (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly), which emphasizes popular regional Mexican music on its KSCA-FM (101.9) station. The program has three hosts: Raul Molinar, âEl Buenoâ; Sylvia del Valle, âLa Malaâ; and Andres Maldonado, âEl Feo.â
âEl Mandrilâ posted a personal Facebook message to his fans Friday, saying his absence was related to an assignment given by executives.
The message, which only deepened the mystery among his fans, was deleted shortly after being posted. On Monday, Schiantarelli said it was a âeuphemismâ for âan assignment to go and sit and do nothingâ during contract negotiations.
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