Variety reported on the operational and ratings updates surrounding KROQ, highlighting the station's recent performance in the Southern California radio market as preparations get underway for a major annual musical event. The station is currently busy preparing for the thirty-fifth annual Almost Acoustic Christmas concert, a longstanding tradition for the frequency that brings together listeners for a multi-act live concert experience.
Behind the scenes, leadership changes have shaped the direction and programming strategy of the station over the past few years. Kevin Weatherly returned as program director in June twenty-two, stepping back into a familiar role to guide the station's broadcast direction. Addressing the deep-rooted connection between the audience and the broadcast, Kevin Weatherly told Variety, "This just shows that KROQ, in Southern California, people have a really strong relationship with the station."
That enduring relationship with local listeners has translated into notable results in the ratings books for the autumn season. Specifically, KROQ reached a 6.7 share in September among adults twenty-five to fifty-four, capturing a significant portion of the listening audience within that crucial demographic bracket across the region.
Much of this recent momentum has been driven by the station's morning programming block. Hosts Kevin Klein and Ally Johnson ranked first in major morning demos this September, marking a major milestone for the morning program. The Klein/Ally Show has seen structural adjustments to its daily schedule, having expanded its broadcast until eleven a.m. last summer to give the hosts more time on the airwaves each morning.
Achieving the top spot in the morning slot did not come without its hurdles for the on-air team. Reflecting on the obstacles the program faced while establishing its voice and identity on the station, Kevin Klein told Variety, "We were put in a bad spot, and we had to really fight to do the type of show we wanted."
Further shifting the on-air landscape at the station, other veteran talent has transitioned to different dayparts to support the overall programming strategy. Kevin Ryder moved to afternoon drive in April twenty-five, marking another significant schedule change for a prominent voice associated with the frequency.
With the morning show securing top marks in its demographic, leadership firmly established under Kevin Weatherly, and the afternoon lineup adjusted following the schedule changes, KROQ balances these internal transitions with its large-scale public events. As the station looks ahead, the focus remains fixed on executing the upcoming thirty-fifth annual Almost Acoustic Christmas concert and maintaining the strong listener share achieved through the fall ratings period.
