What I don't like is the lack of essential variety among the radio stations in the San Diego market. Technically the only two stations that were standing out with something different (now that KPRi is gone) was KFM-BFM and Easy 98.1. I'm talking about stations that were actually playing some music that was not being shared with anybody else for any number of reasons (I suppose Rock 105.3 and Magic 92.5 can sort of fit that bill too - KSON too, but only because it has the Country format to itself). Supersoft AC may have been playing some sleepy and boring "old people" music, but some of that playlist was now unique in this market, AND that may have been the reason for them being #1 overall. Now that KFMB-FM is doing something a bit different they are seeing a rise in the ratings. The rest of the market is pretty homogenized now...
2 Alternative stations plus one (Rock 105.3) that share a good bulk of similar music
Two Hot AC stations plus three CHR stations and now one "upbeat" AC station (plus Max-FM with golds from the 80s) means that seven stations are essentially sharing a lot of playlist action (Jack-FM got disappointing because it settled back into Hot AC territory before it changed)
70s Classic Rock is being covered by KGB, Max FM, KFM-BFM and some Rock 105.3)
The only stations that can be considered truly unique, in that they play some music not offered by others are:
Magic 92.5 - has some old school and R&B that doesn't get played elsewhere
I don't listen to 95.7 but I think they do some Classic Hip Hop
97.3/92.1 KSON - Country
98.9 More FM - has some good Classic Alternative at times that you used to hear a lot here but don't as much now
100.7 KFMB-FM - does play a lot of music that you'll find on hard rock, classic rock and alternative, but their approach and mix is what's making them unique
105.7 Max FM may play a couple of classic hits that you won't hear elsewhere but otherwise share a lot with KGB and the various incarnations of AC stations
Then you have the truly niche formats like K-Love, Air 1, the weak classical station from Tijuana and Spanish that won't share ANY playlists with anyone else.
When I was a kid San Diego had some fun and truly unique radio, but it just started to get boring and predictable. I think it started when B-100 blew up itself for.....well, essentially B-100 again but with a different name.