Summer ratings: A return to form

After KRDO leapt to the No. 1 spot in demos in the Spring book, the Summer numbers look much more like our usual pattern - with KOAA on top at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. in both overall and demos.

There were a few smaller surprises in the book: KKTV was second at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the overalls, and won at 5 a.m. and tied KOAA at 6 in 25-54. (Note that the morning numbers don't reflect KRDO moving Jon Karroll to mornings a couple weeks back).

Last time out, KXRM had a better 25-54 number at 9 p.m. than KRDO did at 10 p.m. This time, KXRM dropped, with a 9 p.m. number slightly ahead of KRDO's 10 p.m. in both overall and demos (and slightly behind KKTV in both categories, too).

What to make of it? Summer can sometimes get a little wonky, because people are out and about and the regular shows aren't on. On the other hand, these numbers look a lot more like what we're used to than the last book did. The Fall book will give us a stronger read on which way the trends are really pointing (if there's real movement going on at all), but I think the Summer book means that KRDO has farther to go than it appeared (and they were no doubt hoping) after the Spring book.

Denver tests new radio ratings system

Interesting story in the Post today on Arbitrons new people meter system, which goes live in October and is already making waves as tests show that it will radically reshape the ratings.

The biggest losers appear to be the talk stations (with KHOW dropping clear out of the top 20). The biggest winners? Soft rock.

Naturally, I wonder what this system would mean here in the Springs, where KKLI is already a top 5 station and only KVOR breaks the top 10 with talk.

The story makes some intriguing points about potential problems with the methodology (does the wearable monitor pick up stations through a purse? What if you listen while you're in the shower?).

I dunno if this system will ever make it to the Springs. We still don't, and may never get, metered TV Nielsens. But if the system takes over the big cities, I expect Arbitron will adjust its diary methodology to reflect the metered ratings - and that will mean changes for the Springs.

Hey Jon Karroll, can I buy you a cup of coffee?

What do my bleary eyes perceive on this fair Monday? Why it's Jon Karroll holding down the desk on KRDO's morning news. Where's Zach Thaxton (where, for that matter is Marty)?

This is interesting for a bunch of reasons. KRDO's morning news has always been the station's strongest daypart. Messing with success is a bold move. Where do the other chips fall? Is it a good move? Is it even a permanent move or just a tryout?

KILO tops Arbitrons... for the last time?

KILO (94.3 FM) won its fifth straight book in the Arbitron radio ratings. The question becomes: How big a bite does KDZA's switch take out of the top dog?

OK, so the top of the list is same-old, same-old. The rest of the top 10 is kinda weird. KVOR No. 2 in a non-election book? KATC jumps to third? The old KDZA goes out with a bang at 4? KKLI falls all the way to 9?

It's not much clearer in the 25-54 numbers, either, with KILO followed by KKFM, then KATC, then KKPK and so on.

If you've got a theory other than "Arbitrons are whacky," feel free to throw it out.

And, by the way, I'm back from a baby shower in Seattle followed by a really exhausting move in town. Scraping wallpaper sucks.