M&M; by the Numbers

The assertion by KRLA-AM program director Ron Escarsega or The Times that “Minyard & Minyard” was “steadily losing listeners” is quite simply false (Morning Report, July 14). In fact, from the winter 2000 Arbitron survey to the spring, “M&M;” gained in every key age demographic: 12-plus, 25 to 54 and 35 to 64.

Further examination of the Arbitron book would show that “M&M;” had the largest book-to-book percentage increase in share (75%) of any part of the station’s schedule, the largest actual cumulative audience of any KRLA show next to Michael Jackson and a larger audience share than Don Imus or Gordon Liddy.

Consider all of this in light of the fact that we were preempted by hockey broadcasts for half of the year and, until last month, were preempted by the audio feed of CBS local television news during our last hour.

Ken Minyard and I respect the decision by KRLA to program its station with infomercials if it chooses. What we object to is the apparent attempt to use us as some sort of scapegoat for the station’s overall dismal place in the L.A. market.

RICK MINYARD

Thousand Oaks