The Winter 2005 Arbitron isn’t one Howard Stern is likely to boast about – at least as far as his top three markets go. The syndicated morning man’s 12+ ratings are down in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, according to Arbitron ratings released April 25.
On his Infinity-owned WXRK (K-Rock) New York flagship, Stern fell from a first place 7.0 to a second place 6.4 in the Winter, unseated by "El Vacilón de la Mañana" on Spanish Broadcasting System’s WSKQ (La Mega).
In Los Angeles, Stern slid from a fourth place tie in the Fall (4.6) to finish sixth in the Winter (3.9) on Infinity FM Talk KLSX. And Stern managed only a 2.2 on Infinity FM Talk WCKG Chicago, ranked 16th. That’s down from a 3.0 in the Fall, when he tied for 12th place.
Stern is also down in Detroit (3.2-2.7 on Infinity’s WKRK) and in San Diego (4.9-3.2 on Infinity’s KPLN).
However, in Stern’s Philadelphia stronghold, he gained share (8.7-9.0) on Infinity’s WYSP, remaining in second place. And Stern improved his Boston market position on Infinity’s WBCN, from third in the Fall (5.4) to second in the Winter (6.6).
from the NC Times
For the last several years, upstart country station U.S. 95.7 ---- formerly known as Bob 99.3 ---- has given Excedrin headaches to archrival KSON, grabbing a big chunk of its listenership and swiping its morning show "Tony & Kris." But now, it's KSON's turn to crow.
On Tuesday, the quarterly Arbitron radio ratings for San Diego came out, and there's something very unusual about them. The ratings for KUSS/U.S. 95.7 are flagged, and readers are referred to a long note under the heading "Extemporaneous Comments/Rating Bias/Rating Distortion."
In layman's terms, this is an indication that the station's ratings may be tainted and, therefore, unreliable. The all-powerful Arbitron hardly ever flags a station ---- it did so just five times in its fall 2004 ratings of 10,000 stations, according to company spokesman Thom Mocarsky.
What does it all mean? In a world where advertisers pay big bucks to reach big radio audiences, this is far from a minor matter ---- at least according to the whistle-blowers at KSON.
The station contacted Arbitron after noticing a strange uptick in U.S. 95.7's ratings a few months ago. KSON staffers reviewed its tapes of U.S. 95.7's programming and discovered some questionable remarks by morning hosts Tony Randall and Kris Rochester, KSON general manager Darrel Goodin said.
According to Arbitron, the hosts tried to manipulate listeners by telling them to "never punch to our former home (KSON)" and to say that they listened to KUSS, even if they didn't. The hosts also sent out an e-mail saying, "We need your help! For the station to survive, we've got to move even higher in the ratings."
Arbitron has rules about what stations can and can't do to influence their ratings. Among other things, Arbitron doesn't allow stations to "distort" ratings by bribing listeners or urging them to deny that they tune to other stations. Acting like your station's survival depends on the ratings is also a no-no. (Arbitron creates its ratings by surveying people through the mail.)
"In a situation like this, everyone gets hurt," Goodin said. "It's not just KUSS, it's KSON, it's every radio station in town, and it's also the advertisers, because the data that we all use to do business is potentially compromised. It's very disappointing."
So what does Clear Channel ---- the owner of U.S. 95.7 ---- think about this kerfuffle? Not much, said local vice president, Jim Richards.
"It's not like we're lawbreakers; it's not like we're doing morally questionable or ethically questionable practices on the air here," Richards said. "There are certain ways you can speak about Arbitron, and there are certain ways you cannot. (Tony and Kris) did it the incorrect way, and it was inadvertent."
Indeed, the station's infraction is pretty minor in the big scheme of things. Arbitron could have made a bigger deal about the infraction, and ---- in the most drastic move possible ---- it could have delisted U.S. 95.7 entirely, creating one heck of a crisis for Clear Channel. That didn't happen.
My verdict? While KSON's hyperventilating is a just a bit unseemly, U.S. 95.7's attempts to woo listeners were tacky at best. Instead of trying to bribe people to listen with dire threats reminiscent of the famous National Lampoon cover ("Buy this magazine or we'll shoot this dog!"), maybe the station could try an old-fashioned approach: quality programming.
-----------------------------------------------------
And now on to the ratings themselves, which measure listenership over a three-month period. According to Arbitron, there's a tie for first place in the winter period between perennial leader KOGO and up-and-comer KLNV, a Spanish-language station. That's stunning news for KLNV/"La Nueva," which has jumped to the top in just a few years.
U.S. 95.7 did pretty well, whether or not the on-air comments helped ---- it landed in a tie for 11thplace, ahead of KSON in 13th place. In other news, liberal talk station KLSD dived from 16th in the fall to a tie for 25th in the winter, perhaps because of less interest in post-election politics; conservative talk station KFMB-AM underwent a similar slump from third to a tie for eighth place.
Here are the top 10 stations and their average percentage of the listening audience over the age of 12:
1. KLNV and KOGO, tie, 5.3 3. KIFM/The Breeze, 4.8 4. KyXy, 4.5 5. KHTS/Channel 933, 4.1 6. KFMB-FM/Star 100.7, 3.6 7. XMOR/Blazin 98.9, 3.3 8. KFMB-AM and KGB-FM tie, 3.2 10. XHRM-FM/Magic 92.5, 3.1
Meanwhile, "Jeff & Jer" of Star 100.7 (now 100.7 Jack FM) took first place in the all-important morning hours, followed by KOGO, KLNV, KGB-FM and a tie for fifth place between KyXy and KIFM.
from the NCTimes
February 2, 2005
--snips--
Here are some more details from the fall 2004 radio ratings, released recently by the Arbitron company. In the all-important morning hours, when radio stations make bundles of money, the first-place prize goes to the news on KOGO, followed by a tie for second place between KGB's "Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw" and Star 100.7's "Jeff & Jer." Also near the top: KPLN/103.7's Howard Stern, Spanish-language KLNV, talker Rick Roberts on KFMB-AM, and soft-music KyXy. And who's at the bottom? In the morning, hardly anyone listens to KNX (news), KPRZ (religious talk), KCBQ (conservative talk) or XTRA Sports 690.
from the North County Times
October 27, 2004
Rest easy, dear reader. This week's radio column isn't going to include any more details about the alleged ---- and unrefuted ---- kinky phone calls made by TV and radio talk-show host Bill O'Reilly, heard locally on KFMB-AM.
You won't have to read about his loofah fetish again or how he hoped to seduce Italian women in Rome while his wife sat home pregnant. There won't be any discussion of what thesmokinggun.com calls his "steamy soliloquies" about Scandinavian stewardesses, adventures in Thailand and his desire for a few intimate moments alone with his producer. I won't even hint that there are even creepier details that can't be printed here.
Nope, this column won't stoop to beating up on every immoral moralizer who calls the radio airwaves home. Don't look here for cheap shots at people such as drug user Rush Limbaugh (KOGO), profligate gambler William Bennett (KCBQ) or unclothed photo subject "Dr. Laura" (KOGO). That, as they say, would be wrong.
Instead, I'm going to turn to the most shocking radio news of the month: Liberals live in San Diego County!
Some people have long suspected this. After all, public radio is quite popular, and local Democrats occasionally get elected without having to become Republicans. Now, there's this stunning development: San Diego's new liberal talk station is a certified hit.
KLSD bumped golden-oldies station KPOP off the air and took over its frequency in late August. The very next month, KLSD became the most popular station in the county among listeners aged 25-54, according to the radio ratings company Arbitron.
That's an amazing success, especially considering that Clear Channel, which owns KLSD, relied largely on free media coverage to publicize the station's debut.
It's too early to tell, of course, whether KLSD listeners will stick around instead of switching back to their Joni Mitchell CDs. And what about the jilted KPBS-FM? Can Al Franken & Co. hold their own against the lugubrious clarion call of Garrison Keillor? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, Arbitron released the San Diego radio ratings for summer 2004 among listeners ages 12 and up. Hip-hop station Jammin' Z90 stayed in the No. 1 spot with about 5 percent of the local radio audience, followed by news-talker KOGO and its fast-rising competitor KFMB-AM. Others in the top 10, in order, were KIFM, Rock 105.3, Star 100.7, KyXy, Channel 933, KSON and Magic 92.5. (KLSD is ranked lower because the summer ratings encompass three months, including two when the station was still KPOP.)
On the rivalry front, veteran alternative-rocker 91X got creamed by a high-flying FM 94/9, while country U.S. 95.7 still can't keep up with KSON.
During the all-important morning drive-time hours, classic rock station and perennial also-ran 103.7/The Planet clawed its way to the top, boosted by its acquisition of the syndicated Howard Stern show, which had been off the air for months after Clear Channel booted it from Rock 105.3 due to its raunchy content.
As usual, Star 100.7's "Jeff & Jer" and KGB's "Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw" were nearly tied, at second and third place, respectively. Over on the country front, U.S. 95.7 morning hosts "Tony & Kris" outdrew their former employer, KSON. (While the duo abandoned their old station months ago, billboards still show T&K's smiling faces and urge listeners to "Make the switch. We did." (They're talking about their move to U.S. 95.7, of course, but immature passers-by ---- like me ---- still giggle when they drive by.)
from San Diego Union Tribune
July 28, 2004
The long awaited spring Arbitron ratings for radio listenership are in, and the news isn't good for KIOZ/FM "Rock 105.3," the Clear Channel Communications station that dumped Howard Stern in February. (He returned to San Diego's airwaves July 19 via Infinity Broadcasting's KPLN/FM 103.7 "The Planet.")
Among listeners 12 years and older, Arbitron says KIOZ dropped to 16th place (tied with KPLN) during the spring quarter, garnering 2.4 percent of the San Diego radio market of more than 2 million potential listeners. During the winter quarter, KIOZ placed 10th with 3.2 percent.
The Top 10 stations in the 12 and older age group were KiFM/98.1 and KHTS/FM 93.3, which tied with 4.8 percent; KOGO/AM 600, 4.7; KFMB/FM 100.7, 4.6; KyXy/FM 96.5, 4.2; XHTZ/FM 90.3, 4.1; (Spanish-language) KLNV/FM 106.5, 4 percent, and KFMB/AM 760, also 4 percent; KGB/FM 101.5, 3.8; and KMYI/FM 94.1, 3.4 percent.
In morning (6 to 10 a.m.) radio listening here during the spring, KIOZ sank to 18th place with 1.8 percent, down from seventh place (4.7 percent) in the winter. The top 10 morning stations in the spring here were KGB, 7.3 percent; KFMB/FM, 7; KOGO, 5; KHTS, 4.5; KiFM, 4.3; KLNV, 4.2; KFMB/AM 760 and KyXY, tied at 3.9 percent; XHTZ, 3.6; and KUSS/FM 95.7, 2.8.
from SignOnSanDiego.com
Howard Stern is back, and San Diego's KPLN/FM 103.7 has him.
The opinionated, often risque, nationally syndicated radio personality who was yanked off the air here (from "Rock 105" KIOZ/FM) Feb. 26 by Clear Channel Communications returns to the local airwaves at 3 a.m. July 19.
"We're excited about having him here," KPLN program director Todd Little said yesterday after Stern conducted a press conference in New York to announce that he will appear in nine new markets, including four where his show was axed by Clear Channel. "It's great for us," Little added.
The first three hours of Stern's show (3 to 6 a.m.) will be carried live here. The next four hours (6 to 10 a.m.) will be heard tape-delayed.
Stern's show is syndicated by Infinity Broadcasting. Along withKyXy/FM 96.5, KPLN is one of two Infinity stations in San Diego. KPLN's format is classic hits; KyXy's is soft rock.
Also picking up Stern's show are Infinity stations in Pittsburgh; Houston and Austin, Texas; Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Rochester, N.Y.; and Fresno.
Initially, Stern was indefinitely suspended from six Clear Channel stations that carried the show. Clear Channel has 1,200 stations nationwide, but just a half-dozen of them aired Stern.
The action came after a Feb. 23 interview Stern did with Rick Solomon, the man who was filmed having sex with Fox TV reality-show star Paris Hilton. During the interview, a caller used a racist term when he asked Solomon if he had ever had relations with any famous black women. The word infuriated Clear Channel officials, who proclaimed it indecent.
Eventually, Clear Channel severed its relationship with Stern. In the wake of Stern's removal, KIOZ's ratings plummeted, according to the Arbitron Co., which measures radio listenership.
Last month, the Federal Communications Commission announced a record $1.75 million settlement with Clear Channel to resolve indecency complaints against Stern and other radio personalities.
Stern has said the FCC's crusade against alleged indecency threatens free speech rights. He also contends he's been targeted because he is anti-President Bush.
from RadioandRecords.com
June 30, 2004
from fmqb.com
June 14, 2004
In addition to legal wrangling with Clear Channel and displacing existing morning shows, there could be other complicating issues for Infinity in some of the six markets. On the surface, making Modern Rockers WOCL/Orlando and WZNE/Rochester Stern affiliates sounds like a natural. But how would Stern on "The Zone" impact morning man Brother Wease on Infinity sister WCMF? Absent a format change, there's no obvious Infinity-owned home for Stern in Pittsburgh. And the company doesn't own any stations in Louisville or Miami, though it does operate in nearby West Palm Beach. Of course, Stern agent Don Buchwald could cut deals with non-Infinity owned stations.
As for Viacom's stance on their embattled jock, a topic that has been hotly debated on the show since the departure of Mel Karmazin, new Viacom Co-President Les Moonves recently reaffirmed his support for Stern. Moonves told USA Today he doesn't think Stern does anything indecent and declared, "I'm going to back him." Acknowledging the "important bond" between Stern and Karmazin, Moonves said: "Howard is very important to Viacom, and I genuinely hope that when his contract is up [in 18 months], he will stay with us for a very, very long time. We'll see what the future brings."
As for Karmazin, he told USA Today Stern should honor his Infinity contract and "continue to do the great kind of radio he's been doing. When his contract is up, he should stay with Viacom — and be paid a lot more money." But he also noted that Stern might be "forced to find a different platform" if FCC pressure becomes too much to bare. "It would be a shame if he was not on free over-the-air radio," Karmazin said. "Why deprive these people of their entertainment as they drive to work each day?"
from the San Diego Union-Tribune
April 28, 2004
The Arbitron radio ratings for the winter quarter show KOGO/AM 600 remains the No. 1 station in the San Diego area. It attracted 5.2 percent of a potential listening audience of almost 2.5 million during the three-month period. That figure includes listeners 12 and older, the only demographic Arbitron discloses to the news media. KOGO also was No. 1 during the fall quarter.
Rounding out the top 10 stations here for the winter were KyXy/FM 96.5, 5 percent; XHTZ/FM 90.3, also 5 percent; KFMB/AM 760, 4.9; KiFM/FM 98.1, 4.5; KFMB/FM 100.7, 4.3; KHTS/FM 93.3, 4.3; (Spanish-language) KLNV/FM 106.5, 4.2; KGB/FM 101.5, 3.6, and KIOZ/FM 105.3, 3.2. KIOZ was the Clear Channel Communications station that carried Infinity Broadcasting's Howard Stern show. Clear Channel dumped Stern in late February because of a racial epithet uttered by a listener who called Stern's show.
And speaking of Stern, Infinity spokesman Dana McClintock declined to comment this week when asked if Infinity's KPLN/FM 103.7 "The Planet" (and sister station to KyXy) here will soon carry the Stern show.
Some additional ratings numbers Howard mentioned today (from fmqb):
When they dropped his show from six stations at the end of February, Clear Channel expected a morning ratings exodus to follow. In San Diego, they got it. With Stern, KIOZ was No. 1 12+ in February with an 8.9. Without him, the station's morning drive ratings crashed to a 27th place 0.7 in March. The in-demo decline was even more spectacular: 12.7 to 0.7 in Men 18+, 20.6 to 0.8 in 18-34, and 10.1 to 1.0 in 25-54.
from Radio & Records
April 27, 2004
Additionally, KIOZ dipped 20.6 - 0.8 in mornings among persons 18-34 for the ratings period. Meanwhile, Stern jumped from 15th place to ninth overall at WCKG/Chicago.
These six markets (Fort Lauderdale, Rochester, Orlando, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Louisville) lost Howard on February 25, 2004, when Clear Channel dropped Howard for indecency. Go here for more info.
from kioz.com
Dear Stern Fan,
Yes, this is a mass response to all of the emails that I have received in regards to the suspension of his show from Rock 105.3. Hopefully I will be able to address all your questions and shed some light on the situation. If you have ANY questions after you read this response, please feel free to write me back and I promise to respond to all e-mails that I receive.
As many of you know, since the incident that occurred during half time at the Super Bowl, the FCC has become vigilant in cracking down on what they view as indecency on the airwaves and has recently begun interpreting various rules related to "indecency" in a new manner. Howard has addressed this several times since he returned from vacation on Monday. Additionally, you have heard him talk about Infinity, his company’s policy, on zero tolerance for what they determine to be indecent content as well. This week, Clear Channel Communications issued a company wide "Responsible Broadcasting Initiative". These initiatives were put in place to save our stations from receiving FCC fines and from the possibility of having our licenses revoked. It would not do you or Howard any good if we no longer had the license to broadcast on Rock 105.3...What we are trying to see is if the company that Howard works for is taking the steps to protect our license for all of our sakes... When it comes to our business we have to answer to a Government Agency who believes that it is their mission is to protect the public...all the public... Whether you and I agree with that, at this time these are the rules that our business has to live with. We are not like other businesses, in that we don't own the airwaves, we just have the right to use this frequency. Yesterday afternoon our General Manager, Mike Glickenhaus, spoke to Don Buchwald who has been Howard's agent for many years and they talked about this specifically. He understands our decision and we all hope it is a very temporary issue. We know Howard will not be happy about this but unfortunately every radio air talent in America is operating under some different conditions at this time. We are definitely trying to deal with this issue in a positive manner and see if we can come to a resolution.
Additionally, as a Howard Stern fan I encourage you to write the appropriate parties, and let them know how you feel about the guidelines that have been laid out and their new interpretations on indecency.
I appreciate you taking the time to write me and I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Trust me when I say everyone here at Rock 105.3 is a Howard Stern fan, and want this issue resolved as soon as possible.
Shauna Moran
Program Director
ROCK 105.3
shaunamoran@clearchannel.com
from the San Diego Union-Tribune
San Diego's "Rock 105" KIOZ/FM is one of the six Clear Channel Communications stations nationwide that have indefinitely suspended shock jock Howard Stern's popular radio show.
The action, effective yesterday, came after an interview Stern did Tuesday with Rick Solomon, the man who was filmed having sex with hotel heiress and Fox TV reality star Paris Hilton in a video that was distributed on the Internet.
According to a transcript released by Clear Channel, Stern asked Solomon about his sexual practices. Using a racist term, a caller asked Solomon if he had ever had relations with any famous black women.
"It was vulgar, offensive and insulting, not just to women and African-Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency," said John Hogan, head of Clear Channel's radio division. In San Diego, Clear Channel runs a dozen stations (including KOGO/AM 600), six of which are licensed by Mexico.
Stern could not be reached yesterday at his WXRK/FM 92.3 "K-Rock" studios in Manhattan, but in an Associated Press report he said: "They (Clear Channel) are so afraid of me and what this show represents. A caller used the 'N' word, and I hung up on him."
On Wednesday, the San Antonio-based Clear Channel imposed a "Responsible Broadcasting Initiative," or zero tolerance policy, to make sure the material aired by its radio stations conforms to the standards and sensibilities of the communities they serve.
The move came the day before Hogan was scheduled to appear before a House subcommittee hearing on broadcast decency. The hearing was prompted by the Super Bowl halftime show "wardrobe malfunction" in which Janet Jackson's breast was exposed. Jackson has since been dumped from a planned TV movie in which she was set to play famed singer Lena Horne.
San Diego Clear Channel vice president/market manager Mike Glickenhaus said yesterday that KIOZ will play music during Stern's weekday time slot (live from 3 to 6 a.m. and repeated from 6 to 10 a.m.) until the company receives assurances that steps are being taken to bring Stern's show "in line with current (decency) thinking." Stern-voiced commercials, however, were still on yesterday morning.
Glickenhaus said it doesn't matter that Stern didn't personally make the offensive remarks.
"We understand that (Stern syndicator Infinity Broadcasting) has a 9-second delay," Glickenhaus said. "We don't want to risk having our (KIOZ) license pulled because of something a provider fails to do."
Infinity, which is owned by Viacom, said it plans to continue airing Sternin 75 markets nationwide. (The show can be heard in North San Diego County via Los Angeles' KLSX/FM 97.1.) In San Diego, Infinity has KPLN/FM 103.7 ("The Planet"), which airs classic hits, and KyXy/FM 96.5, a soft-rock station. It was unclear yesterday whether Infinity has plans to move Stern's show to one of its stations here.
As for KIOZ still airing commercials featuring Stern, Glickenhaus said there's no hypocrisy in that.
"We would never tell any advertiser who they can or can't use," he said. "That is not something under our control."
from SD Radio
April 24, 2003
San Diego Ratings
Arbitron Winter Book 12-plus numbers. As a general rule, the only numbers released to the general public are 12-plus. Specific breakdowns are restricted to the stations.
--snips--
Mornings:
Star 100.7 Jeff and Jer 7.8 KOGO News First 5.6 la Nueva 106.5 El Gallo y la Bola 5.2 Rock 105.3 Howard Stern 5.2 101KGB Dave, Shelly, & Chainsaw 4.9 Z90 da Misfitz 4.4 KSON Tony & Kris 4.2 KyXy Sonny West & Susan DeVincent 3.9 KiFM Morning Connection with Melisa Sharpe 3.9
--snips--
SDRadio
January 10, 2003
Coming up third is Z90-FM. Morning drives snapshot: Jeff and Jer Showgram at Star 100.7-FM in first. Another impressive move by the Jeff and Jer Showgram: 25-34 women have a 17.8 share. That's nearly double of their last book in that age bracket.
Howard Stern heard on KIOZ remains at third, with Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw get the word at third for 101KGB, oh my.
Surprise in the afternoon. The daily dose of talk wars comes down to KFMB and KOGO. For two rating books, Rick Roberts has the afternoon honors as top-placed host at KFMB. He's followed closely by Roger Hedgecock at KOGO. Rick is helped with a great lead-in of Sean Hannity, the live show from New York City. Roger's lead in of Dr. Laura .... her rose is starting to wilt not only here, or hear ... but else where in the country.
Ladies rule middays! Cindy Pace at Planet FM was dancin' in the streets as her top-rated midday show at KPLN leaped over and made her the Planet Princess.....
More rating book breakouts over the weekend at SDR.
from the NY Daily News
November 13, 2002
Ever wondered how many other people in America are actually listening to, say, Howard Stern at the same time you are?
Tony Sanders, who crunches national numbers for the trade publication Inside Radio, says it's around 1,490,000.
Standard radio ratings, designed for advertisers, use a figure called "cume," which is the cumulative number of persons who tune to a given show or station at some time during an average week.
That's obviously a much higher figure. The national weekly "cume" for Stern has been estimated by the trade mag Talkers at "8 million-plus."
By comparison, Rush Limbaugh is rated at 14.5 million-plus per week, Sean Hannity at 10 million-plus and Dr. Joy Browne and Imus at 5 million-plus.
The numbers of people listening to those hosts at any one time presumably are proportionate to Stern's numbers.
Stern's numbers also mean more than 10 times as many people are listening to him at any given time than are, say, watching cable news channels on television.
Sanders has also tracked Stern's ranking in all of his markets for summer 2002 - though this is just based on his share of the total audience. Like most hosts, Stern scores higher among his specific target audiences, which for him includes younger men.
Overall, Stern is No. 1 in New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Syracuse and York, Pa.
In other cities, it goes like this: Philadelphia, second; Washington, D.C., fourth; Los Angeles, seventh; Baltimore, 16th; Cleveland, second; Buffalo, fourth; Chicago, 10th; Dallas, 11th; Detroit, ninth; Hartford, sixth; Las Vegas, second; Boston, second; San Diego, third; Pittsburgh, third; Seattle, fourth; Rochester, seventh; Miami, fourth; San Francisco, fifth.
--snips--
from sdradio.net
October 17, 2002
--snips--
Jill Underwood writes: "Three months ago people were wondering what was going on with the ratings on KGB's superstars, "Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw" with one third of the audience suddenly missing. Insiders insisted it was a fluke, and the new Summer Arbitron ratings proved them right. In an unprecidented shift, the DSC has rebounded in just one ratings period to their usual dominance, as reigning champions of the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic, with an astounding 10.5 share. Howard Stern on Rock 105.3 registers a distant second with a 6.7 share. The overall 12 plus, making them the undisputed most listened to morning radio show. The strong showing helped vault KGB back to first place overall in the 25-54 demographic."
Who is really number one? In breakouts Jeff Elliott and Jerry St. James at Star 100.7 target women, and they won them over. In Arbitron breakouts, women prefer the team from Star 100.7 ... It comes down to this ... Who is number one? The answer is simple: It's the station you are listening to at the moment ....
--snips--
from the NorthCountry Times (San Diego area)
July 24, 2002
FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 25-31, 2002
--snips--
Speaking of ratings, the Arbitron company has released its latest list of the most listened-to commercial stations in San Diego during spring 2002. As usual, news/talk station KOGO is on top among all listeners ages 12 and up.
There were a few surprises. Soft-rock station KyXy jumped from 4.8 percent to 5.4 percent of listeners, putting it in second place. (Third went to teen-oriented Channel 93.3., while light jazz KIFM and hip-hopping Jammin' Z90 tied for fourth.)
Meanwhile, alternative rocker 91X slumped from 4.7 percent to 3.9 percent. The female-oriented rock of My 94.1 continued to grow, reaching 3.4 percent from 2.9 percent, while Los Angeles talk station KFI's share of the audience grew by nearly 50 percent to 2.4 percent, placing it well above its much-lower-rated talk competitors KCBQ, KPRZ (Christian talk) and KSDO.
In the biggest shocker, KGB's Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw morning show lost nearly 30 percent of its listeners, slipping to fifth place, behind Star 100.7's "Jeff & Jer," KOGO's morning news, Rock 105.3's Howard Stern, and the "KyXy Morning Show." Radio ratings work in mysterious ways. DS&C could be in trouble, or Arbitron may simply be confused.
--snips--
from San Diego Radio Page
April 24, 2002
--snips--
Ratings: 12+ numbers are the street sheet that the national rating service provides. Here's the break down for morning and afternoon drives in San Diego:
Morning Drive:
Star 100.7 6.9 Jeff and Jer Showgram 101KGB 6.8 Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw Rock 105 6.1 Syndicated: Howard Stern KOGO FM|AM 5.9 News First 91X 4.7 Chris Cantore
--snips--
Noted: Rick Roberts, afternoon talkshow host at 760KFMB in 12+ numbers ... continues to move forward in the afternoon ratings. Last falls 12+ numbers, Rick had a 2.1. The winter book, fueled by events in the county ... but more importantly, as an alternative option in the afternoon, moved forwared to a 3.4. Morning drive numbers in further audience breakdowns by age and sex give further strength to Jeff and Jer: they lead in women in the 12+, 18-34, and 25-34. That's their intended audience. Chris Cantore at 91X has an 8.8 with adults 18-34, but the clear winner in this age catagory is the syndicated Howard Stern program on Rock 105 with a 12.3. Adults 25-34, Star 100 leads with an 11.3, and KGB has a 10.8. A.J. at Channel 933 pulls in 6.4 of the women in the 18-49 age group, with Jeff and Jer 12.9, and the DSC at KGB with a 7.3.
--snips--
from the North County Times (San Diego)
January 18, 2002
Static
Randy Dotinga
Among listeners who were born before Jimmy Carter became president, two of the three most popular music stations in town play sleepy tunes ---- the soft rock of KyXy and the smooth jazz of KIFM. (Some people might say that smooth jazz and soft rock are oxymorons, but that's another column.)
The stations placed second and tied for fifth, respectively, in the fall ratings from the Arbitron company. News/talk KOGO came out on top, as usual, while the teen-ager-oriented Channel 93.3 and Jammin' Z90 tied for second and placed fourth.
KyXy, almost always top-rated, hasn't done this well in three years, said operations manager Charlie Quinn.
But many in the radio industry still don't respect soft music, even though it rules the dial in many workplaces, Quinn said. "It doesn't have the same glamour or excitement level (as other formats)," he said. "At some companies, people don't see it as being as much fun."
As usual, the ratings brought good and bad news for other local stations, which use the numbers for bragging rights and, more importantly, to figure out how much to charge advertisers. Noncommercial stations are not rated.
While 94.1 FM got a lot of buzz for banishing its oldies format to a weaker frequency and adopting a month of all-Christmas music, its share of the audience fell by one-fourth, landing it in 12th place.
Los Angeles talk station KFI continued its galling habit of leaving San Diego stations in the dust even though it's based 90 miles north of Oceanside. It ranked in 18th place, beating Sets 102.1, Kool 95.7 (formerly known as Mix 95.7), XHCR/Hot Country 99.3, and North County alternative station Premium 92.1. The audience of 92.1 continued to grow, however, placing it in 25th place.
Meanwhile, San Diego County listeners continued to be unimpressed by the distinctly unimpressive idea of putting classical music on the AM dial. Two classical stations ---- KFSD-AM and X-BACH ---- placed in 33rd and 34th place.
Some listeners ---- who knows how many ---- prefer the commercial-free classical music of Mexico-based XLNC/90.7 FM, which isn't rated.
Here are the top dozen stations, among listeners 12 and up, ranked by the average percentage of the listening audience that tunes in to them:
KOGO (6.1) Channel 93.3 (5.6) KyXy (tie, 5.6) Jammin' Z90 (4.3) KIFM (4.2) Rock 105.3 (4.2) 91X (4.1) KSON-FM (4.0) Star 100.7 (3.9) KGB (3.5) Magic 92.5 (3.4) and KLNV (3.0)
During the all-important morning-drive time, the news on KOGO zipped up to the top spot in the ratings, even though co-anchor Allison Ross got sacked during a round of layoffs at the station's parent company. She's been replaced by veteran newswoman Marilyn Hyder.
The next most popular morning shows, in order, were KGB's "Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw," Star 100.7's "Jeff & Jer," the syndicated Howard Stern on Rock 105.3, and the "KyXy Morning Show."
--snips--
from the San Diego Union-Tribune
December 26, 2001
Stern business
In other San Diego Clear Channel news, Howard Stern has renewed his contract with his San Diego outlet, KIOZ/FM "Rock" 105.3, for five more years. The king of airwaves' raunchiness is heard live here from 3 to 6 a.m. and is rebroadcast from 6 to 10:30 a.m. weekdays.
--snips--
Thanks to RobK for sending these in...
October 19, 2001
San Diego Mornings
12 +
1. Jeff and Jer (KFMB)
2. KOGO NEWS
3. Howard Stern (KIOZ)
4. Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw (KGB)
5. Tony and Kris (KSON)
25-54
1. Jeff and Jer (KFMB)
2. Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw (KGB)
3. Howard Stern (KIOZ)
4. Sonny West (KYXY)
5. Tony and Kris (KSON)
from NC Times
--snips--
The winter 2000 ratings are out, and news/talk station KOGO continues to hold the top spot.
The other big winner is K-Joy, which recently switched from "soft oldies" to '60s oldies and rocketed from 14th place to a tie for fifth. Star 100.7 also did well, while Mix 95.7 and B 94.9, both with new all-80s formats, are tied down at 15th place.
The ratings report has got to be a bitter pill for the owners of B 94.9, which used to be Oldies 94.9 (and before that, K-Best 95). It dumped its low-rated oldies format only to see K-Joy turn successful with it.
As for North County, KFSD-FM is in 20th place, while poor KSPA didn't make the top 28. Classic/alternative rocker Sets 102 is in 22nd place.
Here are the top 10 stations, with their estimated percentages of the San Diego listening audience: KOGO, 6.4; Channel 933, 4.9; Star 100.7 and KyXy, 4.7 (tie); KIFM and K-Joy, 4.4 (tie); Jammin' Z90, 4.3; 91X, 4.2; Rock 105.3 and KSON, 4.0 (tie).
from SDRadio
April 24, 2001
--snips--
12 Plus Numbers mornings:
KOGO-AM 7.7 "News First! with Allison Ross and Jeff Prescott
Star 100.7 7.5 "Jeff and Jer Showgram"
KGB 101.5 6.0 "Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw"
KyXy 96.5 4.6 "KyXy Morning Show with Sonny West and Dale Ohlau
Rock 105 4.5 "Howard Stern"
--snips--
from the North County Times / Preview (San Diego)
Dec. 15 - Dec. 21, 2000
Radio - Randy Dotinga
--snips--
The potty-mouthed Howard Stern, who brought breasts and lesbians to morning radio, may be going bust for good.
Stern's contract with Infinity Broadcasting will be up as of the new year, and he's nowhere near renewing it. Stern goes on vacation today, which could make this morning's broadcast his last ever, according to The Associated Press. "This is not a disc jockey stunt," Stern said.
Stern, who's heard locally on Rock 105.3, is the most popular radio morning host in the country and the only one who's a household name. Locally, Stern is perennially the third-most popular rated morning personality, trailing only KGB's "Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw" and Star 100.7's "Jeff & Jer."
--snips--
from the North County Times (San Diego)
FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 28 -- AUGUST 3, 2000
Randy Dotinga/STATIC column
That's the lesson to be learned from the latest radio ratings. KOGO ---- whose programming runs the gamut from right wing to left field ---- is in first place.
This is the first time an AM station has reached the top spot since 1993, said Cliff Albert, KOGO's program director.
The station is doing well "even with a baseball team that hasn't been performing as well as we'd like it to," Albert said.
In other words, the Padres stink but people still listen.
Close on KOGO's tail were Channel 93.3, the bubble-gum fave of teen-agers, and alternative rocker 91X.
The Arbitron ratings come out four times a year, and the latest edition ---- known as "the book" in radioland ---- covers April, May and June. Ratings are vital to the success of radio stations, which use them to decide how much to charge advertisers for commercials.
North County's Sets 102.1, the classic/alternative rock station, wound up in 17th place, impressively tying its rival, The Planet 103.7. Sets also recently made the list of the 25 most listened-to stations in the nation on the Internet.
Star 100.7's "Jeff & Jer" returned to its spot at first place in the morning, while KGB's "Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw" dipped from first to third place. Rock 105.3's Howard Stern rose to second.
Also popular in the morning were KOGO (news) and Jammin' Z90 (hip-hop).
The morning is the most important part of the day in radio because that's when the most people tune in ---- about 1.9 million of the county's 2.4 million people older than 12.
From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., a dynamic duo ruled the airwaves: Rush Limbaugh and that lady on the broomstick (Dr. Laura) brought KOGO to first place. The soft music of KIFM and KyXy ---- popular as background sound in workplaces ---- came in second and third place, respectively.
And from 3-7 p.m., when kids come home from school, the youngsters ruled the ratings roost. Jammin' Z90 was on top, followed by Channel 93.3, 91X and KOGO.
Pity poor Rick Roberts. His fans weren't able to find him at his new home, KFMB-AM, where he landed before the baseball season began.
The former KOGO talk-show host, known for his frequent appearances on local and national TV, was in 23rd place during his time slot, according to a radio insider.
Roberts' archrival, the eternally irritating Roger Hedgecock, was sitting pretty in fourth place, although KOGO's ratings in his time period could have been boosted by baseball games that start early.
Here are the top 16 stations as reported by Arbitron. They are ranked by the average percentage of listeners ---- age 12 and up ---- who tune in at any one time.
1. KOGO, 5.5
2. Jammin Z90, 5.4
3. 91X, 5.2
4. Channel 93.3, 4.9
5. KIFM, 4.6 (tie)
5. Rock 105.3, 4.6 (tie)
7. KyXy, 4.5
8. Star 100.7, 4.4
9. KSON, 4.3
10. KLNV, 4.0
11. KGB, 3.6
12. K-Joy, 3.0 (tie)
12. Magic 92.5, 3.0 (tie)
14. KPOP, 2.6
15. Mix 95.7, 2.3 (tie)
15. XTRA-AM, 2.3 (tie)
--snips--
from the North County Times
MAY 19 -- MAY 25, 2000
By Randy Dotinga
--snips--
Jilted multimillionaire groom Rick Rockwell may be a curse upon the earth, but his presence on Star 100.7's "Jeff & Jer" a few months ago didn't hurt the show's ratings.
"J&J" was the most popular morning show in town in January, February and March, according to the Arbitron radio ratings company. "J&J" dethroned KGB's "Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw," who slipped to second place among all listeners ages 12 and up.
In order, the next top-rated shows were the nationally syndicated Howard Stern on Rock 105.3, KOGO's morning news, the "KyXy Morning Show," and 91X's "Brand X."
The Spanish-language station KLNV ("La Nueva") did well, tying for seventh place with KSON's "Tony & Kris."
from the San Diego Union-Tribune
May 5, 2000
By Preston Turegano, TELEVISION-RADIO WRITER
Radio giant Clear Channel Communications of San Antonio may be divesting itself of San Diego's KyXy/FM 96.5, but the station that plays soft favorites is still dear to the ears of local listeners.
So says the New York-based Arbitron Co. that measures radio listenership across the country every quarter, including 40 stations here. During December, January and February, KyXy was the most listened to station among individuals 12 and older in the San Diego radio market audience of approximately 2.4 million. KyXy garnered 5.9 percent of listeners during the ratings period.
"It's always nice to be No. 1," said KyXy general manager Bob Bollinger. "With increasing competition and the general market compression that exists in San Diego, placing first is a real credit to the people in this building."
Clear Channel is selling KyXy and its sister station, KPLN/FM "The Planet," and 16 other outlets to Infinity Broadcasting Corp. for $1.4 billion, and is divesting itself of 110 stations in 37 markets in order to merge with AMFM Inc., which owned KyXy and KPLN.
Other San Diego stations (with audience percentage) that made Arbitron's top 10 winter quarter list here are, from second to 10th place: KFMB/FM 100.7, 5.0 percent; KHTS/FM 93.3, 4.9 percent; KOGO/AM 600, 4.8 percent; KiFM/FM 98.1, also with 4.8 percent; XTRA/AM 91.1, also 4.8 percent; KIOZ/FM 97.3, 4.4 percent; KSON/FM 97.3, 4.3 percent; KGB/FM 101.5, 4.1 percent, and XHTZ/FM 90.3, also 4.1 percent.
During the fall, summer and spring 1999 Arbitron quarters, the country music-format of KSON was No. 1 here.
Perhaps the most remarkable achievement in the local winter derby is the 12th-place finish of Spanish-language KLNV/FM 106.5 "La Nueva." It captured 3.3 percent of the audience. Owned by Heftel Broadcasting of Dallas, KLNV's "ranchera, banda" sounds went on the air in the summer of 1998 to tap San Diego's growing Latino population.
from Radio Digest
February 24, 2000
Sleeping Dogs and Arbitron: They both do a lot of lying, so I haven’t been especially hot to trot about analyzing the fall numbers for San Diego. But hey, it’s a slow rainy day, why not? Keep in mind that these are, except where noted, estimates of average listenership by everyone over the age of 12, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Stations’ spin-doctors will, if they’ve a mind to, find that their stations are No. 1 (from 1:15 to 1:30 pm Sundays, among women 65 and older who speak Yiddish and like to play mahjong.)
KSON (97.3 FM), though down a tick to 5.7, holds onto No. 1, while its upstart competitor Hot Country (XHCR 99.3 FM) slipped a similar amount to 1.0.
KOGO (600 AM) is sitting pretty (5.3 last time, to 5.5 this time). With baseball season just about to start and likely to add another two points, the spring and summer 2000 Arbitron books will almost certainly show the Clear Channel talker as No. 1 in America’s Finest City.
Channel 9-3-3 (KHTS 93.3 FM) showed a significant decline, down to 5.1 from 5.7 last time, but still good for third place. There goes my theory about the station that did a good job with the basics (call letters and backselling) getting the big numbers.
Also taking significant tumbles were 91 X (XETRA 91.1 FM), down to 4.6 from 5.1; Star 100.7 (KFMB-FM), down to 2.9 from 4.1; Magic 92.5 (XHRM-FM), down to 3.3 from 3.9; adult standards KPOP (1360 AM), down to 2.5 from 3.4; and The Mix (KMSX 95.7 FM), down to 2.1 from 2.7.
Jettisoning their "Breeze" image seems to have lifted a weight from KIFM (98.1 FM). The light jazz outlet soared to a fifth-place tie, going from 3.6 to 4.6.
Other market gainers include classic rock KGB (101.5 FM), going from 3.8 to 4.4; XTRA Sports (XETRA 690 AM), up from 1.6 to 2.3; and eclectic Sets 102 (KXST 102.1 FM), going from 1.5 to 2.1 - a very strong performance for a signal with limited reach in the southern third of the county.
It Ain’t Braggin’ If It’s True: KGB morning-show host Dave Rickards has been on a roll lately, bagging not only on fellow Clear Channel competitors like Rock 105 (KIOZ 105.3 FM), but his own station for its lack of musical adventurousness ... bagging on the air ... during his show. Does Dave have a death wish? Nope. He’s just answering that age-old question, "Why does a dog lick his balls?" Because he can!
In the prime demographic of listeners 25 to 54, the "Dave, Shelley and Chainsaw" morning show is huge, garnering a 10.6 rating among morning shows. Star 100.7’s Jeff and Jer are a distant second with 6.8, KSON’s Tony and Kris have a 6.4 and the guy who used to beat DS&C, Howard Stern, has slipped to 6.0 at fourth place.
With that kind of domination, the suits may cringe - they may even diplomatically suggest that Dave tone it down - but that’s all. You don’t mess with success. At this point, Dave could probably violate the boss’s daughter and get a thank-you note from daddy.
The Howard Stern Show currently has a 7.9 share in the 12+ demographic, good for #1. The show is also #1 in the 18-54 demographic and #2 in the 25-54 demographic.
from: San Diego Union-Tribune
October 21, 1998
BROADCAST BRIEFS
Arbitron's figures indicate the percentage of listeners who tune in for at least five minutes in any continuous 15-minute period. San Diego's market population is 2.2 million. Like TV's Nielsen ratings, Arbitron's numbers are used to establish advertising rates.
KyXy attracted 6.3 percent of the listening audience here during the summer quarter. Over the weekend, the station was named AC (Adult Contemporary) Station of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters during the association's Marconi Awards presented at the NAB Radio Show in Seattle.
Rounding out the Arbitron top 10 for the period are KFMB/FM Star 100.7, 6.2 percent; XHTZ/FM 90.3, "Jammin' Z90/hip-hop," 5.3 percent; KFMB/AM 760, "talk radio, sports," 5.1 percent; KSON/FM 97.3, "country," 5.0; KHTS/FM 93.3, "top 40" 4.7 percent; KOGO/AM 600, "news/talk" 4.2 percent; XTRA/FM 91.1, "91X/alternative" 4.0 percent; KIOZ/FM 105.3, "Rock 105" 3.9 percent, and KiFM/FM 98.1, "contemporary jazz," 3.8 percent.
Among classical stations, KFSD/FM 92.1 placed 20th with 1.7 percent of the listening audience. Its competitor XBACH/AM 540 tanked at 28th place, with 1 percent.
The results of current fall ratings that will be announced early next year will be particularly noteworthy since they will reflect a full quarter of listening for KLQV/FM 102.9 and KEBN/FM 106.5, San Diego's first FCC-licensed Spanish language FM stations that commenced operations in August.
from new radio star and robk...
In San Diego, KYXY was number one with a 6.8, followed by KFMB-FM with a 6.3, then KSON 5.2, KFMB-AM 4.6 and KOGO 4.5. In mornings, 18-34 Jeff and Jer led on KFMB-FM, followed by Chino and Boogie on XHTZ and Sonny West on KYXY. In 25-34 mornings Sonny West was #1, followed by Jeff and Jer and Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw on KGB. In 18-34 it's Jeff and Jer followed closely by Dave Shelly and Chainsaw. Interestingly enough, Howard Stern, on KIOZ, is down in this market as well...dropping three points in 18-34 for example.
from the San Diego Union-Tribune
July 21, 1998
Never let it be said that San Diego area radio listeners don't have eclectic taste.
The recently released spring quarter ratings compiled by the New York-based Arbitron Co. place the "continuous soft favorites" of KyXy/FM 96.5 first among 40 stations here.
During the winter and fall quarters, the country music format of KSON/FM 97.3 was No. 1. Before that, KFMB/FM Star 100.7 (and its "alternative pop" format) led the pack.
In the winter listening derby, KyXy tied with KIOZ/FM 105.3 ("Rock 105") for fifth place. Now, "Rock 105" -- the San Diego home of Howard Stern -- has dropped to unlucky 13.
KyXy's leap-frogging means it attracted 6.8 percent of the spring quarter radio audience defined by Arbitron as people 12 years of age and older. (Yeah, radio programmers love to pooh-pooh the demographic, saying it's commercially meaningless, but it's the only one Arbitron publicly releases.)
Arbitron's figures indicate the percentage of listeners who tune in for at least five minutes in any continuous 15-minute period. San Diego's market population is 2.2 million. Like TV's Nielsen ratings, Arbitron's numbers are used to establish advertising rates.
KyXy program director Rich Hawkins said he perceives his station's status as recognition of "how hard the on-air and support staff work."
While KyXy doesn't generally look at a 12-and-older demographic, the rating from that group is "extremely gratifying," Hawkins said.
He said KyXy also placed first in the spring Arbitron survey among adults 25 to 54 years old -- the station's target audience.
Rounding out the Top 10 stations for the spring are KFMB/FM, 6.3 percent; KSON/FM, 5.2 percent; KFMB/AM 760, "talk radio, sports," 4.6 percent; KOGO/AM 600, "news/talk," 4.5 percent; XHTZ/FM 90.3 "Jammin' Z90," 4.4 percent; KGB/FM 101.5 "classic rock," 4.3 percent; KiFM/FM 98.1 "contemporary jazz," 4.0 percent; KHTS/FM 93.3 "Top 40 dance,"3.9 percent; and KPOP/AM 1360 "nostalgia," 3.7 percent.
Stern continues to do well with men 18 to 34, according to a copy of that Arbitron demographic leaked to Channeling. He placed second behind "Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw" and ahead of "Chris & Nicole." Fourth place went to "Chino & Boogie" and fifth to "Jeff & Jer." Among men and women in the same age group, first through fifth places went to "Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw," "Jeff & Jer," "Stern," "Chino & Boogie" and "Chris & Nicole."
Back among the 12 and older, KSDO/AM 1130, which carries the queen of mean radio psychology Dr. Laura Schlessinger live from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. weekdays, placed 18th in the spring ratings. That's only a nudge up from the station's 22nd place rating in the winter quarter. Schlessinger's weekday badgering of callers repeats on tape over KOGO/AM 600 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Schlessinger's competition -- mousy Dr. Joy Browne -- is heard on KFMB/AM 760 from 10 a.m. until noon weekdays. Up until May, Browne was carried on KCBQ/AM 1170, which placed 36th in the spring Arbitron ratings.
If local radio programmers weren't so tight with the buck, San Diegans could hear a good local psychologist. Once upon a recent time they did.
--snips--
from the San Diego Union-Tribune
May 27, 1997
Howard Stern's radio show was moved April 30 from 91X/FM to Rock105.3/FM. That's an undisputed fact.
But what is in dispute is why Jacor Broadcasting -- which operates both stations -- moved 91X's highest-rated show to Rock105.3.
According to documents obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune, the owner of 91X/FM, a Rosarito Beach-based firm known as XETRA Comunicaciones, was forced to remove Stern from 91X/FM to avoid disciplinary sanctions by the Mexican government.
A copy of a letter from XETRA's attorney to Enrique Rubio, Mexico's director general of the Department of Radio, Television and Cinematography, states that XETRA/FM agreed to "suspend starting April 30 the program of Howard Stern that is presently broadcasting on this station."
Those Spanish-language documents contradict statements made by the management of 91X/FM, which has insisted that Mexico placed no pressure on the station.
Jack Evans, regional vice president/programming for Jacor Broadcasting's stations in San Diego, characterized the Mexican government's actions against the Stern show as "concern, not pressure" to move it.
"As we were acquiring our radio stations from (previous owners) Noble, Nationwide, Gannett and Par, it was always our intention to realign the morning shows based on format compatibilities," said Evans.
Irreverent, risque
Jacor Broadcasting executives have claimed that the main reason for the switch was that Rock105/FM, which has a contemporary hard-rock format, better fits Stern's irreverent, risque form of social satire.
While Stern's show clearly better fits Rock105/FM's male-dominated audience, the evidence indicates that Jacor had no choice but to move it to one of its other stations, one licensed by the U.S. government.
(Jacor's roster of San Diego stations includes Rock105/FM, KOGO/AM, KSDO/AM, KKBH/FM, Channel 93.3, KGB/FM, and KPOP/AM. In addition, it owns U.S. sales and marketing rights to 91X/FM and XTRA/AM, which are owned by Mexican businessman John Detmold. (He did not respond to repeated phone calls to his Rosarito Beach home.).
Why did the Mexican government -- officially, the country's Department of Radio, Television and Cinematography, located in Mexico City -- act to remove Stern from 91X/FM?
According to documents, the government was incensed at Stern's repeated anti-Mexican remarks, especially those during shows that aired late last year. The government charged that such remarks violated Mexican law.
"(The program) offends the essential human dignity . . . of people in our country (and) demerits the values of the Mexican nationality," reads the translated document.
It also states: "It is perceived in the absurd speech of Howard Stern the intention of generating the impression of intolerance and hostility of Mexicans toward Americans (that) contradicts the permanent effort of the government of our country to promote the cordial relations and growing flow of tourist travel."
Characteristic rants
What did Stern say that the Mexican government found so offensive?
On Dec. 20, according to the documents, he went on one of his characteristic rants, aimed against Mexico.
Sample comments included: "I think they should build a gigantic wall around the United States. . . . Illegal immigration is killing this country. We can't support them. We can't take care of them. . . . It's a disaster."
Stern then stated: "They hate us, and what have we done to Mexico? . . . I went there on my honeymoon and let me tell you, the hostility I felt. I was at Acapulco Princess (hotel). It's a swindle for tourists. They think you're dumb. They think you're going to get off of (the) bus and buy their trash they sell at the side of the road. Oh, the look they give you, a look (of), you disgusting American."
Then, according to the transcript, Stern made explicit comic references to "donkey shows" in Mexico.
Jacor's Evans said that Detmold, the station's owner, asked if Stern's show could be moved off 91X/FM. In addition, he said, some 91X/FM advertisers had expressed concerns.
"We looked at his concerns and the opportunities we had and it made sense to make the changes we did," said Evans.
Recordings and transcripts
So how did the Mexican government agency become so active in the Stern controversy? And who sent the recordings and transcripts to the agency?
Victor Diaz, who until recently was president of Z90/FM, a rival station to 91X/FM, said he was a major part of that effort. Several months ago, Diaz joined with a Spring Valley-based minister, the Rev. Samuel Fosu-Mensah, who has formed the activist group End Radio Air Smut Effectively (ERASE).
Diaz said he and the Rev. Fosu-Mensah went to the Mexican Consulate in San Diego, as well as to Mexico's Secretariat of Communications in Mexico City. Their complaint was that Stern's show contained indecent material that was offensive and harmful to youngsters who might be listening.
Diaz said he has contributed to ERASE, but he declined to say to what extent. In recent months, ERASE has taken out two half-page ads (costing approximately $5,000 each) in the Union-Tribune that decry "pornography" in local morning radio. (Five other local stations were cited, all owned by Jacor.)
"I support his organization because I believe that children shouldn't be exposed to that kind of filth," said Diaz.
Lourdes Sandoval, spokeswoman for the Mexican Consulate in San Diego, said, "We only voiced our concerns (about Stern to the Mexican Secretary of Communications). . . . In Mexico, it's very difficult to defend a Mexican radio station having a disc jockey making those kind of comments. It's insulting to our people and to our country."
According to a copy of a summons sent from Mexico's Department of Radio, Television and Cinematography to XETRA's attorneys, XETRA was cited for violating Mexican law, including "Article 5, Sections I, III and IV, and Article 63 of the Federal Radio and Television Law," among others.
Last week, Stern -- whose vulgar, combative style is part of his multimedia appeal on his syndicated radio show, his two best-selling books and a recent movie ("Private Parts") that's based on his career -- vowed that he plans "to take on" the leaders of ERASE. He then ridiculed a list of his alleged misdeeds, as printed in a recent ERASE fund-raising letter.
Stern's antics that day and every morning since May 1 were heard on Rock105/FM, a station operated and licensed in the United States.
Said Evans: "We have something here called freedom of speech. That's the difference."
Back up again, the show is now in 5th place, with a 4.7 rating share.
Howard has fallen in San Diego...the show went to 10th place with a 3.8 rating in the 12+ demographic.
Howard clocks in with a 6.2 rating (12+), good for 3rd place. This is 2/10ths of a point from #1.
Back to ratings.
This page © 1996-2005 by The Complete Howard Stern Links!