Gazette

Ratings show tight market in radio

May 14, 2007 11:56 PM

By ANDREW WINEKE THE GAZETTE

There was something for nearly everyone to like in the latest Arbitron radio ratings.

Hip-hop station KIBT (96.1 FM) was the top station overall and among younger listeners in the 18-to-34-year-old age group, but rock station KILO (94.3 FM) won in the advertiser-friendly 25-to-54-year-old group.

�It ebbs and flows,� said Lou Mellini, KILO’s general manager. �We feel very fortunate.�

Adult contemporary station KKPK (92.9 FM), the winner the last time around, fell all the way to ninth overall, but still took second in the 25-to-54 sector. Classic rocker KKFM (98.1 FM) finished 10th but won the morning-drive hours.

�The market is getting very tight,� said Henry Tippie, general manager for Salem Communications’ KBIQ (102.7 FM), which grabbed third place in the 25-to-54 category. �We don’t have people dominating like they used to.�

Country stations KCCY (96.9 FM) and KATC (95.1 FM) remained nearly neck-and-neck, with KATC winning the overall race, but KCCY leading in the 25-to-54 ranks.

�Cat Country (KATC) is still scratching at its competitors,� said Bobby Irwin, operations manager for KATC and Citadel Broadcasting. �We don’t have a definitive country leader.�

WINTER RATINGS

1. KIBT (96.1 FM)

2. KVOR (740 AM)

3. KILO (94.3 FM)

4. (tie) KATC (95.1 FM) 4. (tie) KKMG (98.9 FM)

6. KCCY (96.9 FM)

7. KBIQ (102.7 FM)

8. KKLI (106.3 FM)

9. KKPK (92.9 FM)

10. KKFM (98.1 FM)

11. KVUU (99.9 FM)

12. KOA (850 AM)