Access to radio ratings for the media and general public is becoming harder and harder to come by.

Arbitron, which conducts the only detailed radio audience measurements in the nation, apparently does not like unofficial publicity — especially in Salt Lake City.

The Salt Lake market, 30th largest in the nation, is one of eight (out of total of 82) markets where a "client exclusive" situation means Arbitron is withholding even the age 12-plus general rankings from being published or listed on the Internet.

None of the top 10 radio markets in the nation have such "client exclusives."

Seattle-Tacoma (No. 13) is the largest market to be in the unpublished, secret category.

The other markets with in the "confidential" group are Columbus, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., and Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Dayton, Ohio, and Puerto Rico.

Arbitron has the right to do what it wants with its product, but the company is overreacting.

Does ratings secrecy mean Salt Lake is an extra competitive market?

Since Arbitron prints a ratings book each quarter, it's hard to see why the age 12-plus rankings are so exclusive — except to paying subscribers.

The 12-plus ratings are more "gee-whiz" kind of rankings and would likely benefit few — if any — potential advertisers or programmers.

What the 12-plus list does is a public service, letting the public know how a station might be faring with total listeners.

Also, it promotes the Arbitron name to the general public.

Several years ago, Arbitron started omitting some non-subscribing stations from its publicly released 12-plus rankings in Salt Lake City. (KSOP and KTKK are two examples.)

The noncommercial stations, such as KBYU and KUER, are also not part of the rankings.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — The Phil Hendrie radio show now airs on KKAT (AM-860) from 11 p.m.-2 a.m.

KEYY Christian Radio has named Micah Swick as general manager. Former manager Steve Barsuhn left KEYY to pastor a church in northern Utah and the position has been vacant for over a year.

Swick, who moved from Kansas City, will be introduced at a public open house, Oct. 30, 1-5 p.m., at the station, 307 S. 1600 West.

KEYY Christian Radio has operated in Provo for 21 years. The station serves Utah Valley with Bible programs and Christian music. For more information, go to www.keyy.com.

KBYU (FM-89.1/89.5) will air performances by the Utah Chamber Artists Nov. 2 through Dec. 4, weekdays at 3 p.m.