KSL still No. 1 in ratings, but lead is dwindling

KSL is down dramatically, and KSFI, KOSY and KEGA are up significantly in the latest Arbitron ratings.

Remember the huge lead KSL (AM-1160/FM-102.7) had after simulcasting on FM? That's gone, and although the station holds No. 1 firmly, its outrageous advantage has vanished.

KSFI ("FM-100") isn't as strong as it used to be — and hasn't been since its Simmons Media ownership days. But it maintains runner-up status and has improved by 0.5 percent.

KOSY (FM-106.5) is apparently picking up what KSFI has lost in the adult-contemporary audience and rose 1.1 percent in the latest ratings.

KEGA ("The Eagle," FM-101.5) improved the most in the fall ratings book by exactly doubling its audience. KEGA went from a 1.6 percent audience share to 3.2.

So what's "The Eagle" doing that works? Part of it may be that the station's morning show is having too much fun. Peggy Ijams — who is on in the morning with Keith Stubbs and AJ Maguire — reported to me that she's having more fun on the radio than she's ever had.

KXRV ("The River") and KALL ("Hot Ticket 700") remain at the bottom of the ratings heap, and with less than 1 percent audience share apiece, you've got to wonder how long they will go without a format change.

Here's the age 12-plus Arbitron estimates for the fall book:

1. KSL AM/FM, 7.9 percent share; 2. KSFI, 6.4; 3. KUBL, 5.2; 4. KXRK ("X-96") 5.0; 5. KOSY (4.8); 6. KNRS-AM, 4.4; 7. KRSP, 4.0; 8. (tie) KBER and KZHT, 3.8; 10. KODJ, 3.7.

11. KUUU, 3.6; 12. (tie) KEGA and KSOP, 3.2; 14. KENZ, 3.1; 15. KHTB, 2.8; 16. KJMY, 2.4; 17. KBMG, 2.2; 18. KBEE. 2.0; 19. KBZN, 1.9; 20. KJQN, 1.8.

21. (tie) KDUT and KUDD, 1.7; 23. (tie) KDYL-AM and KKAT, 1.2; 25. KFNZ-AM, 1.1; 26. KZNS/KOVO, 1.0; 27. KXRV, 0.8; 28. (tie) KALL and KLO-AM, 0.7.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW — Remember Robin and Jim Morales? Robin was at KRSP and KUMT in the 1990s, while her husband, Jim, was program director and afternoon personality on KISN at the same time.

The Moraleses are living "the quiet life" in San Antonio, Texas, now. Jim works in advertising for a local AM news/talk station and is off the air, while Robin stays home and educates their three daughters.

"We do miss Salt Lake at times," Robin said by e-mail. But the basketball is better there, she said.