KSL radio leads ratings — again

KSL radio (AM-1160/FM-102.7) once again leads the Salt Lake radio market.

The all-news/talk station posted a 9.2 share in the age 12-plus Arbitron ratings, while KNRS, another news-talk station, was second at 7.0 percent in the latest ratings called the "spring book."

KSL NewsRadio had an 8.0 share in listeners ages 25-54 from 6 a.m.-midnight and an 8.8 share in listeners ages 25-54 from 6a.m.– 7 p.m., its highest ratings in a "spring book" since 2001.

KSL now boasts nearly 400,000 weekly listeners. The station produces more than 14 hours of live daily programming, plus it carries Brigham Young University sports programming.

"We have a very talented group of broadcast professionals who dedicate themselves to the community, ownership and giving Salt Lake the very best radio programming. I am very proud of all of them," stated Chris Redgrave, KSL News Radio vice president and general manager.

With the top two stations in the S.L. market being news/talk, it proves Wasatch Front listeners want more than music these days. (In the New York radio market, the top three rated stations carry musical formats, and in Los Angeles, the top station has a musical format, followed by a station with an all-talk format.)

A new measurement system, the Personal People Meter, launches on Jan. 1, 2010, in the S.L. market and will replace the current written diary method of measurement.

Here's a listing of the age 12-plus rankings for the "spring book," as estimated by Arbitron:

1. KSL AM/FM (9.2 percent share); 2. KNRS-AM (7.0); 3. KZHT (4.4); 4. (tie) KSFI and KUBL (4.2); 6. (tie) KODJ, KUUU and KBER (3.7); 9. KRSP (3.6); 10. KXRK 3.4);

11. KJMY (2.8); 12. KOSY (2.7); 13. KKAT (2.5); 14. KHTB/KUDD (2.3); 15. KBEE (2.2); 16. KENZ (1.9); 17. (tie) KEGA/KEGH, KJQN and KFNZ-AM (1.5); 20. KYMV (1.4);

21. (tie) KDUT and KBMG (1.2); 23. KTMY (1.1); 24. (tie) KBZN and KLO-AM (1.0); and 26. KYLZ (0.6).

Other stations could not be measured, or do not subscribe to Arbitron.

 KBYU (FM-89.1) will air a broadcast of "Thinking Aloud Visits Salt Lake City's Cathedral," Friday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m. Host Marcus Smith and guests will take a detailed look at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. It will also air "Music from the Madeleine Cathedral at 100," Sunday, Aug. 16, 3 p.m.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — Clear Channel reported its revenues were down 20 percent for the second quarter of this year.

— "The Z Morning Zoo" on KZHT has a "Park City Payoff" giveaway going each day, with a chance to win prizes from the Park City Chamber of Commerce.

— "Brushes With Greatness" is a nostalgic collection of photographs on www.kosy.com/main.html that show some of the celebrities who DJs Scott Fisher and Peggy Ijams have run into over the years. (Most surprising are the very youthful photos of Fisher.)

— Speaking of photos, not to be outdone, Bill Allred and Richie T of KXRK have photos of their "Manventure" to Havasupai in the Grand Canyon posted on www.x96.com.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com