KSL ranks No. 1 on Arbitron's latest list

KSL Radio (AM-1160) is on track for one of its best Arbitron rating periods in recent years. The station has a 9 percent audience share for ages 12-plus during the first month (April) of the spring book, 2.3 percent ahead of runner-up KSFI. Aftermath of the war with Iraq is likely a factor in the ratings increase.

KSL was also No. 1 in the winter Arbitron book but only 0.3 percent ahead of "FM-100." Another news/talk station, KNRS (AM-570), also had a great performance in this partial book, with a fifth-place share — its best-ever ranking.

— Here are the top 20 stations for this partial book, advance ratings:

1. KSL-AM (9.0 percent share); 2. KSFI (6.7); 3. KUBL (5.3); 4. KRSP (5.0); 5. KNRS-AM (4.3); 6. KOSY (4.0); 7. (tie) KQMB and KXRK (3.9); 9. KODJ (3.4); 10. (tie) KBEE and KCPX (3.1); 12. KBER (3.0); 13. (tie) KURR and KSOP (2.8); 15. KKAT (2.7); 16. (tie) KENZ and KZHT (2.6); 18. KBZN (2.5); 19. (tie) KJQN and KUDD (2.3).

BONNEVILLE TO EXPAND — The relaxation of cross-ownership rules by the FCC Monday cleared the way for Bonneville International to eventually complete its purchase of four Salt Lake stations — KRSP, KSFI, KQMB and a new station, AM-820, which is not yet on the air — plus another four stations in St. George and seven in the Blackfoot/Idaho Falls market.

Bonneville announced its intent to purchase these stations from Simmons Media last November for $173.5 million. It has been stalled awaiting the anticipated FCC rules change. The big question now is still when can the transfer be made.

Once completed, it could instantly make Bonneville the No. 1 radio station owner in the Salt Lake market, with almost 25 percent of the audience share for all ages. Clear Channel has about 20 percent of the market, and Citadel has 15 percent.

Another key question is whether Bonneville can fit four more radio stations into Broadcast House.

Still another question is whether Laura Bedore, morning co-host on KQMB with Scott Fisher, will be able to continue doing her KUTV noon-news cooking segment once Bonneville (owner of competing station KSL-TV) takes control of "Star 102."

ANOTHER WHERE ARE THEY NOW — Remember Jack Sunday, who was on "Power 99" (KCPX, FM-98.7) from 1985-87? He's still in radio and is currently the program director at KFGO-AM in Fargo, N.D. Sunday was teamed up with Peggy Ijams in those "Power 99" days.