KSL, KSFI tops in ratings; KOSY passes KUBL

KSL (AM-1160/FM-102.7) and KSFI ("FM-100") are the top two stations again in the latest Arbitron estimates. However, KOSY (FM-106.5) has moved into third place, ahead of KUBL (FM-93.3), and that's the big news.

KSL has a No. 1, 7.3 percent audience share in the age 12-plus estimates for part two of the Winter Book ratings. KSFI is a close second at 7.2. This marks the first time in a year that "FM-100" has seen an increase in its ratings. However, for KSL it was status quo, and the FM simulcast still doesn't seem to be bolstering the station's ratings much.

KOSY held steady at 5.5 percent, and that meant it slipped ahead of KUBL, which dropped to 5.3 percent. KOSY's ratings have been on the rise since last summer. This is its best-ever showing in the ratings.

"Certainly a big part of that improvement was KOSY's 'All Christmas' programming throughout November and December," said Steve Clem, program director for KOSY.

He said the station's audience has increased 28 percent over the past year.

He also credits the "Scot and Erica" morning show, plus the station's unique music blend and some strong weekend and evening programming.

The remainder of the ratings: (5) KZHT (FM-97.1), 4.6; (6) KODJ (FM-94.1), 4.3; (7) (tie) KNRS (AM-570), KRSP (FM-103.5) and KXRK ("X-96") at 4.0 percent each; (10) KBER (FM-101.1), 3.9; (11) KSOP (FM-104.3), 3.8; (12) KENZ (FM-101.9), 3.1; (13) KUUU ("U-92"), 2.9; (14) KDUT (Mexican), 2.7; (15) KJMY ("My-99.5"), 2.6; (16) KKAT (FM-107.5), 2.4; (17) (tie) KEGA ("The Eagle") and KHTB (FM-94.9), 2.3; (19) KBEE (FM-98.7), 2.1; (20) KBZN ("FM-97.9), 1.9; (21) KUDD (FM-107.9), 1.6; (22) KBMG (Mexican), 1.3; (23) KZNS/KOVO, 1.2; (24) (tie) KFNZ-AM, KJQN and KXRV, 1.0 each; (28) KDYL, 0.6.

Arbitron estimates that Salt Lake radio's Hispanic market is now at 9.6 percent.

• BEST PRANK — KOSY's "Scot and Erica" had the best April Fools' prank this time around. They surprised most listeners by switching to a year-round Christmas-music format on March 31. The station was flooded with more than 100 e-mails and some phone calls, with only a handful in favor of the switch. Since it was a day before April 1 and since KOSY is traditionally among the first stations in the nation to switch to holiday music each fall, this format plank was plausible for the two hours it lasted.

"I know it wasn't really April Fools' Day, but we don't do a show on Saturday and I wanted to take the opportunity to poke a little fun at KOSY for starting Christmas music on Halloween last year and play an April Fools' prank at the same time," Scot said.