Bill Handel, KFI, Los Angeles

SOUTHLAND SURGE

KFI - Los Angeles Reaches First Place





In Southern California, conservative radio has reached a new ratings high: first place.

That would be KFI-AM we're talking about, home of Rush Limbaugh and morning host Bill Handel.

With an overall share of 4.9 revealed in the lastest monthly Arbitron trend report, KFI has rocketed into the number one position, surpassing Spanish language formats and FM music stations. As far as we can tell, it's the first time this has occurred in Los Angeles.

Because these figures represent the second phase of the all- important spring ratings period, to see if this holds, we'll have to wait until the full book is released next month.

Meanwhile, liberal Air America Radio affiliate KTLK turned in a flat 1.0 share and long- dormant KABC scored another 2.2 among all listeners 12 and older.


For any English- based radio format, overcoming the near- total dominance of Spanish radio in Southern California has always been extremely difficult.

According to Inside Radio, Handel's morning show played a major role in KFI's sudden upsurge. Moving from 5.6, to a 6.1 share month- to- month, the controversial conservative talker's now in first place in the LA market.

While there has been some minor tinkering by Arbitron over its ratings calculation formulas, the Radio Equalizer wonders if the massive publicity and controversy over Handel's Muslim jokes earlier this year has contributed to his increased popularity.

While Handel and KFI faced immense pressure from Islamic extremist group CAIR over the incident, the longtime morning host was ultimately able to hang on to his job.

If these numbers hold for another month, KFI, Rush and Handel will truly have new bragging rights.

ELSEWHERE: after nearly a year of intense bickering and outrageous demands, Randi Rhodes and Air America have apparently finally come to a contract renewal agreement. For exclusive details, check back with the Radio Equalizer, very soon.

Randi hopes you won't!

Your Amazon orders that begin with clicks here, regardless of your final purchases, are vital to supporting this site's efforts. Buy what you like and help the Radio Equalizer! Thanks again!