KROQ, KPWR Tie for Top Spot

Alternative rock and hip-hop still rule in the Southland when it comes to the race among local radio stations as KROQ-FM (106.7) and KPWR-FM (105.9), “Power 106,” tied for first place in the most recent Arbitron ratings, which were released Friday.

The two stations triumphed over Spanish-language station KSCA-FM (101.9) during the summer, continuing a pattern that started in the spring when KROQ became the first English-language station in six years to top the charts in terms of audience size. Pop-oriented KIIS-FM (102.7) came in third place, followed by KSCA.

Kevin Weatherly, KROQ programming director, said he was pleased that the station held on to the top spot: “We have an incredibly strong foundation in the marketplace, and our ‘Kevin & Bean’ morning team also did great.”

Celebrations also erupted at KPWR as Jimmy Steal, Power 106’s general manager, sent out a companywide e-mail: “We’re consistently a top-rated station, but it feels good to be number one.”

The summer ratings cover the period from June 29 to Sept. 19 and are based on a station’s share of the 10.5 million listeners age 12 and older in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

KKBT-FM (100.3) staged a strong comeback, climbing from its fifth place finish in spring to third place among English-language stations after the tandem of KROQ, KPWR and KISS.

Morning drive host Steve Harvey, who had tied for sixth place in the spring, shot to second place behind KSCA.

Said Nancy Leichter, general manager of “The Beat”: “Last spring was a real fluke, I believe. There was no reason for us to have a down book. We’re on target, and Steve is really on point. And he keeps on growing. Our ratings this time around are more indicative of our healthy standing.”

KROQ’s Kevin & Bean came in third in the morning drive-time race, followed by Howard Stern on KLSX -FM (97.1) and Bill Handel on KFI-AM (640).

Among the coveted 25-54 age demographic, which is primarily used in negotiating deals with advertisers, KSCA was tops in the morning, followed by Stern, Harvey, Kevin & Bean and Spanish-language KLVE-FM (107.5).

In the talk radio arena, KFI-AM continued its dominance over its rivals KLSX and KABC-AM (790). Meanwhile, the switch in format from country music to talk has not initially turned out well for KLAC-AM (570). The station has seen its audience decline since the change in spring.

David Hall, KFI programming director, said KFI’s continued triumphs are the result of a steady flow of personalities.

He said he anticipates a large increase for talk and all-news stations during the next ratings period because of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

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Radio Ratings

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Current Last Quarter 1 KROQ-FM 4.7 5.1 KPWR-FM 4.7 4.8 3 KIIS-FM 4.2 4.6 4 KSCA-FM 4.0 4.8 5 KKBT-FM 3.8 3.4 6 KFI-AM 3.7 3.6 KLVE-FM 3.7 4.3 8 KTWV-FM 3.6 3.3 9 KOST-FM 3.3 3.2 10 KRTH-FM 3.2 3.0 11 KXOL-FM 2.9 1.2 12 KBIG-FM 2.7 2.5 13 KHHT-FM 2.6 2.6 KYSR-FM 2.6 3.2 15 KLSX-FM 2.5 2.5 KLAX-FM 2.5 3.0 17 KNX-AM 2.4 2.2 18 KLOS-FM 2.3 2.6 19 KABC-AM 2.2 1.9 KZLA-FM 2.2 2.3 KCBS-FM 2.2 2.4 22 KBUE-FM 2.1 2.3 23 KFWB-AM 1.8 1.7 24 KMZT-FM 1.7 1.2 25 KJLH-FM 1.5 1.7

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The top 25 radio stations in the Los Angeles market for the summer 2001 Arbitron rating period: June 29-Sept. 19. The chart reflects overall listening Monday-Sunday, 6 a.m.-midnight for people age 12 and older.