KIIS-FM tops the charts in radio revenue production. (Media).

KIIS-FM (102.7) has once again been recognized as the top revenue producing radio station in the nation.

The L.A. pop station posted $61.3 million in revenues in 2001, surpassing the No. 2 spot by $5 million, according to estimates by BIA Financial Network Inc. That's the second year in a row KIIS has earned the No. 1 spot on the "Top 10 Billing Radio Stations" list.

"They're No. 1 because they do more of what's called 'non-traditional revenue' than anybody else does," said one industry source. Beyond selling airtime, stations can bring in ad revenues through such things as concert sponsorships.

Four of the remaining spots on the list went to other L.A. stations, including KROQ-FM (106.7), which came in No. 5 with $48.7 million, and KYSR-FM (98.7), ranked No. 7 with $43.9 million. KOST-EM (103.5) captured the No. 10 spot on the list with $40.5 million.

KPWR-FM (105.9) came in at No. 8 with $42.4 million and became the first urban-format radio station to make it into the Top 10. Owned by Emmis Communications Corp., KPWR was also the only station on the list not owned by media giants Clear Channel Communications Inc. and Viacom's Infinity Broadcasting Corp.

Val Maki, Emmis' senior vice president and L.A. market manager, credited KPWR's sales and marketing staff for getting the station into the Top 10. "Further, it is a testament to the power of a station owning its position in the marketplace," she said in a statement.

It's surprising that five L.A. stations made the list, said Mary Beth Garber, president of the Southern California Broadcasters Association. "While L.A. is the No. 1 radio revenue (market) in the world, it is also the most competitive market in the world," she said.