KILT (610 AM) and KBME (790 AM) each found encouraging numbers in what is described locally in some circles as Nielsen Audio’s “rodeo” ratings book and in others as the “spring training” book issued Monday.

KILT (610 AM) was the weeklong leader (6 a.m.-midnight Monday-Sunday) among men 25-54, the key demo for sports radio, with a 2.5 percent audience share to 1.6 for KBME and 0.9 for KFNC (97.5 FM). KGOW (1560 AM) did not register in the March ratings book for Feb. 27-March 26, which coincides in Houston with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and thus is referred to as the “rodeo” book (or, if you’re a baseball fan or your station carries the games, as does KBME, the “spring training” book).

In weekday ratings, KBME once again led sports stations in morning drive (6-10 a.m.) with a 3.5 share to 2.6 for KILT and 1.1 for KFNC among men 25-54. The February numbers were 3.7 for KBME, 2.4 for KILT and 0.8 for KBME.

KILT led in middays (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) with a 3.8 share to 1.4 for KBME and 1.2 for KFNC. Last month’s numbers were 3.3 for KILT, 1.8 for KBME and 1.0 for KFNC.

KILT also led sports stations in afternoon drive (3-7 p.m.) with a 3.0 share to 1.1 for KBME and KFNC. February numbers were 2.8 for KILT, 2.0 for KBME and 1.3 for KFNC.

KILT and KBME each had 1.9 shares from 7 p.m. to midnight, with KFNC at 0.7. The February numbers were 1.9 for KBME, which also carries Rockets games, 1.6 for KILT and 0.7 for KBME.

Turning to show-by-show comparisons, the top-rated local sports show during the March book was KBME’s Greg Koch-N.D. Kalu (9-11 a.m.) show with a 4.5 share, just edging KILT’s Mike Meltser-Seth Payne (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) program at 4.4.

Adam Clanton-Lance Zierlein (6-9 a.m.) show on KBME was third at 3.3, just ahead of the Rich Lord-Sean Pendergast show (2-6 p.m.) at 3.2. Fifth was Nick Wright-John Lopez (6-10 a.m.) on KILT at 2.6, followed by KBME’s Matt Thomas (2-4 p.m.) at 1.4 and Charlie Pallilo (4-7 p.m.) at 1.2. KFNC’s two local shows featuring Jerome Solomon and Dave Tepper (noon-2 p.m.) and Fred Faour and A.J. Hoffman (4-7 p.m.) were at 1.3 and 1.2, respectively.

Jay Mohr’s syndicated show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. had a 0.2 share in what some believe will be his next-to-last book in that time slot. A website staffed by Mohr’s fans has speculated that Mohr’s show will be moved to nighttime and broadcast on tape-delay, clearing midday for local programming. A station spokesman has declined to respond to a message seeking comment on the station’s plans.

Elsewhere, KKBQ (92.9 FM) was the rodeo book leader in persons 12-plus with 7.1 weeklong share, followed by KODA (99.1 FM) at 6.7 and KMJQ (102.1 FM) and KGLK (107.5/106.9 FM) at 5.8. KLTN (102.9 FM) led in morning drive at 8.2, KODA in middays at 8.8, KKBQ in afternoon drive at 7.3 and KMJQ at night at 7.6.

In adults 18-plus, it was KODA and KKBQ in the weeklongs at 6.8, KLTN in morning drive at 8.3, KODA in middays at 9.1, KKBQ in afternoon drive at 7.0 and KMJQ at night at 8.1

Leaders in adults 18-49 were KKBQ at 8.2 for the week, KLTN in morning drive at 10.8, KODA in middays at 9.3, KKBQ in afternoon drive at 8.3 and KKBQ evenings at 8.8.

Adults 25-54 leaders were KKBQ for the week at 7.4, KLTN in morning drive at 10.5, KODA in middays at 9.2, KKBQ in afternoon drive at 7.3 and at night with a 7.8 share.

Overall men 25-54 leaders were KLTN for the week at 7.8 and in morning drive at 13.4, KGLK in afternoon drive at 7.4 and KTBZ (94.5 FM) at night at 7.6.