Four big radio companies have agreed to pay the government $12.5 million and provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for independent record labels and local artists in agreements aimed at
curbing the practice known as "payola," according to insiders.
Payola means radio stations take cash or other considerations from record companies to play their music. It's been
around as long as the radio industry, but two officials at the Federal Communications Commission say the monetary settlement is part of a consent decree between it and Clear Channel Communications
Inc., CBS Radio, Entercom Communications Corp. and Citadel Broadcasting Corp.
The settlement was reached at the same time a separate deal designed to lead to more airtime for smaller
record companies and their lesser-known artists, as well as local musicians, was made. So now, listeners weary of hearing the same songs over and over on the radio may have something to cheer about.
The deals that could shake up the music playlists of some of the nation's largest radio-station chains.
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