By John Eckberg
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Programming for family listening brought WRRM-FM (98.5) some red-hot numbers in fall quarter ratings for listeners in the 25-54 demographic coveted by advertisers, according to an Arbitron report on commercial stations released Wednesday.

The station, known as "Warm 98," is at the top of the radio heap in Greater Cincinnati, sharing the No. 1 spot with WLW-AM (700).

Each posted a 7.1 rating.

While WLW lost listeners when compared to the summer rating period, WARM-98 moved from fourth place to first place in that key age group.

Darryl Parks, director of AM operations for Clear Channel Cincinnati, owner of WLW, took the rating report in stride.

"At the end of the day," Parks said, "we're still No. 1."

Another significant move came in the demographic of 18-34 men during the morning drive time slot. In that category, known by industry observers as the "beer demographic," WAQZ-FM (97.3) topped WEBN-FM (102.7) with a 20.6 rating compared to 18.1.

"We did a significant amount of marketing to let people know that Howard Stern was on," said Mike Fredrick, senior vice president and director of sales for Infinity Radio-Cincinnati, owner of WAQZ, WUBE-FM, WKRQ-FM and WGRR-FM.

"The outdoor campaign let people know he was on 97.3 FM. His audience keeps growing and growing."

The ratings for Monday through Sunday 6 a.m. to midnight in the adults 25-54 category are:

1. tie WRRM-FM and WLW-AM 7.1

3. WEBN-FM 6.9

4. WOFX-FM 6.4

5. WGRR-FM 5.9

6. WUBE-FM and WMOJ-FM 5.9

8. WYGY-FM 4.9

9.WIZF-FM 4.5

10.WKFS-FM 4.0

E-mail jeckberg@enquirer.com