Media regulator news everybody. We are just too, too good to you. First up, US media regulator the FCC has officially approved the previously reported payola settlement signed up to by the naughty US radio groups who had been playlisting records in return for steak dinners and widescreen TVs. As previously reported, the radio groups admitted their relationships with record companies were not 100% in line with rules governing such things after the in-depth investigation into payola allegations undertaken by former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. As well as having to settle with Spitzer's office, the radio firms faced the wrath of the FCC in relation to the payola practices (well, I say wrath, it was more a stern frown) and as a result agreed to various settlement measures, including new working practices, the payment of fines, and to make programming commitments to independent and local artists. That settlement was first announced a month back or so, but it has now been formally ratified by the regulator. So, no more payola then. I wonder what US station managers are doing for steak dinners and widescreen TVs? Perhaps we should set up some kind of fund.
Apr 18, 2007
•
1 min read
FCC ratify payola settlement
The US media regulator FCC has formally approved the settlement reached with radio groups over payola practices.