At least three local stations have made significant changes during the past few weeks.
Kelly Monson has left KBZN (FM-97.9) after more than eight years to become the morning co-host on KOSY (FM-106.5) with Erica Hansen. Which means Scot Young, former morning co-host with Erica, has left KOSY after more than five years. Kelly and Erica started their new show together last Tuesday.
Young said he was fired by KOSY on Dec. 8 and that he still hopes to find a new radio job in the area. (His fans can check his blog at scot1065.blogspot.com/2006/12/what-happened-to-scot.html.)
Replacing Monson on KBZN in the morning is Stevie Davenport. She formerly worked at KRSP (FM-103.5).
All Access has also reported that Mike Peer is the new program director at KENZ (FM-101.9). He was formerly the operations manager at WFNY in New York. He replaces Bruce Jones, legendary "The End" program director who left the station after more than a decade.
LATEST RATINGS —KSL (AM-1160/FM-102.7) dropped a little in the latest Arbitron rating estimates but is still No. 1 for listeners, ages 12-plus, with an 8.4 percent share.
After a month lapse, KSFI ("FM-100") moved back to No. 2 with a 6.9 percent share. KXRK ("X-96") was third at 6.1 percent, followed closely by KUBL in fourth at 6.0 percent.
The remainder of the ratings are:
5. KNRS-AM-570 (4.2)
6. KSOP (4.0)
7. KZHT (3.7)
8. KODJ (3.5)
9. KRSP (3.4)
10. KJMY (3.1)
11. (tie) KBER, KOSY and KUUU (3.0);
14. (tie) KBEE and KDUT (2.5)
16. (tie) KENZ and KKAT (2.4)
18. KHTB/KRAR (2.0)
19. KBMG (1.8)
20. KBZN (1.6)
21. KEGA (1.5); 22. KXRV (1.2)
23. KJQN (1.1)
24. (tie) KDYL-AM and KUDD/KUDE (1.0)
26. (tie) KFNZ-AM, KLO-AM and KZNS/KOVO-AM (0.8)
29. (tie) KSOP-AM and KYMV (0.7)
31. KOAY (0.6)
32. (tie) KVFX and KXTA-AM (0.5)
34. KALL-AM (0.4)
MORE 2006 SUPERLATIVES —OK, so the 2006 year in radio is over, but here are some leftover highs and lows that didn't make it into last week's column:
—Best writer who is on local radio: Bob Lonsberry, mornings on KNRS, who also writes a daily online column
—King/queen of radio remotes: "Todd and Erin" of KBEE
—Smoothest DJ: (tie) Jon Carter of KRSP and Frankie of KZHT
—Most distinctive radio-show element: The standard laughter on "Bob and Tom" (syndicated) on KBER
—Worst stunt: KOAY, FM-97.5, playing all Christmas music in September
—Most outdated radio practice: Arbitron's ratings estimates, which take more than a month to tally and provide to stations
—Most annoying radio segments: Radio Disney (AM-910 locally) and its trend of playing rap music
—Best FM change of the year: KSL moving to an FM-102.7 simulcast, putting all-news and information on the more easily accessible FM band
—Most positive personality: Amanda Dickson on KSL
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Remember Matt Thomas on KALL last summer? He has now landed a job on KSTP in Minneapolis as a drive-time host. Since this station is the new voice of the Twins, he is also expected to anchor the station's pregame shows next season.
The Deseret Morning News and KSL Newsradio 1160 are involved in an ongoing news-gathering partnership.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com