The anticipated Denver radio audience battle over the popular "new country" sound didn't heat up during the spring Arbitron audience report.

Previous Arbitron surveys had indicated the 20-year dominance of KYGO-FM (98.5) might be challenged by relative newcomer KWLI- FM (92.5). But the survey showed that while the audience of KYGO, often the top station, dropped a bit compared with last spring, KWLI (Willie) didn't gain ground.

Third-place KYGO registered a 5.4 share, compared with a 6.6 last year; KWLI showed a 2.6 share, the same as spring 2006.

The most-listened-to outlet? That was KQKS-FM (107.5), the hip-hop station, with a 5.9 share. Perennial AM leader KOA-850 was second with a 5.7 share.

KXPK-FM (96.5) retained its position as the leading Spanish-speaking outlet with a 3.9 share, but that was down from a 4.8 a year ago. Its three Spanish rivals failed to register a 1 share.

Arbitron, utilizing a diary system, registers listening habits four times annually. An audience share is a percentage of listeners 12 years and older, tuned into a particular station 6 a.m. to midnight seven nights a week.

The audience figures are broken down demographically and used as advertising tools by the stations.

YOUR DESCRIPTION? Mark Cornetta, president and general manager of 9News, calls the series "a community-friendly program."

My description: an hourlong "infomercial."

Whatever the description, Colorado & Company, airing 10-11 a.m weekdays, is a rousing success for the Gannett-owned station, regularly finishing second on the local ratings chart behind The View on 7News.

So Cornetta is not about to move the hour to make way for the fourth hour of NBC's Today, which premieres Sept. 10. Instead, 9News will air the new Today hour at 11 a.m., following the local show.

The schedule change pushes Judge Judy back to 1 p.m., followed by Days of Our Lives at 2 p.m. Passions will be buried in the soap opera cemetery.

Colorado & Company, anchored by Denise Plante and former CBS 4 sports guy Mark McIntosh, serves up a regular menu of interviews (some terribly tedious) with representatives of local companies who talk about products and services.

As Cornetta notes, Colorado & Company also provides a helpful platform for local nonprofit organizations. Visiting celebrities show up occasionally as well.

Premiering in September of 2004, the series has spawned successful imitators at seven other Gannett stations.

By the way: 9News is among the 10 percent of NBC affiliates planning to delay Today's fourth hour which will feature regulars Ann Curry, Natalie Morales and Dateline reporter Hoda Kotb.

VETERAN DEPARTS: Hendrik Sybrandy, one of Denver TV's best reporters, ended his 15-year career at 7News on Friday after his contract wasn't renewed.

Sybrandy, saying he was "baffled by the decision," added: "I guess this is how local news operates these days."

News director Byron Grandy, calling Sybrandy "a fine journalist," said "we simply couldn't work out a deal."

Sybrandy said salary wasn't a major part of the negotiations. Grandy declined comment about salary issues or any other specific reasons why Sybrandy's contract wasn't renewed.

Sybrandy, who worked for two years at WRTV, a McGraw-Hill station in Indianapolis before coming to Denver, isn't sure if he'll remain in broadcasting.

Hear hear

The top 15 Denver radio stations, according to the spring (April 5-June 27)Arbitron report. Figures represent a station's share of the local audience.

	'07	|	'06
KQKS-FM(107.5)	5.9	|	5.6
KOA-AM(850)	5.7	|	5.3
KYGO-FM(98.5)	5.4	|	6.6
KOSI-FM(101.1)	4.8	|	4.4
KBCO-FM(97.3)	4.3	|	4.6
KRFX-FM(103.5)	4.2	|	3.8
KXKL-FM(105.1)	4.1	|	4.2
KXPK-FM(96.5)	3.9	|	5.8
KALC-FM(105.9)	3.2	|	3.0
KJCD-FM(104.3)	3.2	|	3.2
KBPI-FM(106.7)	3.1	|	3.8
KQMT-FM(99.5)	3.1	|	4.4
KIMN-FM(100.3)	2.8	|	2.4
KWLI-FM(92.5)	2.6	|	2.6

Dusty Saunders writes periodically about broadcasting. Contact him at tvtime@comcast.net

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