KSSK retains its overall dominance in radio ratings
The Arbitron radio ratings contain actual drama this time around.
KSSK is still on top. A tenth-of-a-point dip in its overall share belies gains the FM and AM stations made in the key, 18-to-34-year-old demographic.
There was also a stunning rise for KHUI-FM 99.5 from almost nowhere to No. 3 overall and a huge jump to No. 3 in the morning for all-sports KKEA-AM 1420, most unusual for a niche format.
KSSK sister stations KIKI-FM 93.9 and KUCD-FM 101.9 also jumped among 18-to-34-year-olds, which Chuck Cotton, vice president and general manager, attributed to "some minor adjustments."
The adult standards format of KHUI, monikered, "The Jewel," hit Honolulu's airwaves via syndication in 2006 and has been steadily climbing from its double-digit-debut at No. 19 overall and No. 20 weekday mornings to its current lofty perches.
The station is part of a cluster of Honolulu stations owned by Calif.-based Salem Communications Corp.
"Obviously the timing is very good for the format," said Dave Serrone, acting general manager. "Honolulu is just ready for that particular mix of music," which can range from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble.
Serrone is optimistic it will not be a flash-in-the-pan format.
"A lot of the music is timeless and the quality of the listener is not 'here today gone tomorrow,'" he said.
Many KHUI listeners also listen to longtime oldies station KGMZ-FM 107.9, which is also a top-10 station overall and in the mornings.
University of Hawaii football was a big, season-long story for a broader audience than traditional sports fanatics. That was borne out by Bobby Curran's rise to No. 3 on KKEA, when the show was not in the top 10 a year ago. Overall listening boosted the station into the top 10 as well. Additionally, "we made internal improvements that have continued to make the brand stronger," and increased time spent listening, said Randal Ikeda, general manager.
Ratings for recently departed KPOI-FM 105.9 afternoon personality Dave Lawrence had dropped from No. 3 in the summer to No. 9 among listeners 25 to 54.
FALL RADIO RATINGS
Audience share of people 12 and older. Last year's statewide rankings are in parenthesis.
| STATION |
2007 |
2006 |
| 1. KSSK-FM 92.3 |
12.0 |
12.1 (1) |
| 2. KRTR-FM 96.3 |
6.5 |
6.1 (4) |
| 3. KHUI-FM 99.5 |
5.6 |
1.6 (19) |
| 4. KINE-FM 105.1 |
5.3 |
6.6 (2) |
| 4. KSSK-AM 590 |
5.3 |
5.8 (5) |
| 6. KPHW-FM 104.3 |
5.0 |
3.4 (11) |
| 7. KCCN-FM 100.3 |
4.9 |
6.3 (3) |
| 8. KKEA-AM 1420 |
4.7 |
3.1 (14) |
| 9. KGMZ-FM 107.9 |
4.6 |
4.5 (7) |
| 10. KDNN-FM 98.5 |
4.2 |
5.2 (6) |
Share is the percentage of audience listening. Honolulu is the nation's 64th largest radio market.
Survey dates: Sept. 20 - Dec. 12
Source: Arbitron Inc.
