Media - CMU | the music business explained

iHeart ramps up anti-payola policies under pressure from the FCC

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iHeart • 2 min read

iHeart ramps up anti-payola policies under pressure from the FCC

iHeartMedia has agreed a deal with US media regulator the FCC to ramp up its payola policies in relation to live events. The FCC last year put the spotlight on allegations some radio stations were getting artists to play their events for free in return for airplay, which it said constitutes payola…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jul 2026

BBC’s music boss Lorna Clarke outlines broadcaster’s AI transparency commitments - but can it actually meet them?

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BBC • 3 min read

BBC’s music boss Lorna Clarke outlines broadcaster’s AI transparency commitments - but can it actually meet them?

BBC Director Of Music Lorna Clarke has said the broadcaster wants to be transparent when artists it champions have used AI as part of their creative processes, though that will rely on the music industry at large deciding when and how it is going to be transparent about the use of AI in new releases…

Chris Cooke • 07 Jul 2026

Bob Vylan confirm defamation action against the BBC for “placing labels upon us that did not, do not and never will fit”

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Bob Vylan • 3 min read

Bob Vylan confirm defamation action against the BBC for “placing labels upon us that did not, do not and never will fit”

Bob Vylan have commented on their defamation lawsuit against the BBC. They say the broadcaster placed inappropriate “labels” on the band after their Glastonbury set last year. They add that they hope the litigation will remind the BBC of “the power of the people that they are attempting to silence”…

Chris Cooke • 06 Jul 2026

Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Peanuts music gag lands CBS with unexpected bill

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Lee Mendelson Film Productions • 3 min read

Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Peanuts music gag lands CBS with unexpected bill

When the producer of the classic ‘Peanuts’ TV specials filed four lawsuits last month over unlicensed use of music from the programmes, Stephen Colbert had his house band play that music on the final edition of his axed CBS TV show, joking “I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!” Turns out it did…

Chris Cooke • 17 Jun 2026

Subscriptions or ads would “mean a very different BBC”, broadcaster tells government in Royal Charter consultation

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BBC • 4 min read

Subscriptions or ads would “mean a very different BBC”, broadcaster tells government in Royal Charter consultation

The UK government is currently reviewing how the BBC is funded. The broadcaster itself says reform is needed, but subscriptions and ads are probably not the solution. Elsewhere, the Scottish music industry has raised more concerns about programming changes made last year at BBC Radio Scotland…

Chris Cooke • 06 Mar 2026

With US radio stations making $14 billion, it’s time for them to stop robbing musicians, says Gene Simmons

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Gene Simmons • 3 min read

With US radio stations making $14 billion, it’s time for them to stop robbing musicians, says Gene Simmons

The fact AM/FM radio stations in the US do not have to pay royalties to artists and labels was back in the spotlight in Washington yesterday. Gene Simmons told Congress members that a $14 billion radio industry not paying artists who make the recordings its stations play is basically “robbery”…

Chris Cooke • 10 Dec 2025

Four countries pull out of Eurovision after Israel confirmed to participate

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Eurovision Song Contest • 2 min read

Four countries pull out of Eurovision after Israel confirmed to participate

The Eurovision Song Contest is set to be more political than ever next year, with four countries now boycotting the event over Israel’s involvement. Organiser the European Broadcasting Union this week declined to stage a vote of its members on Israel's continued participation in the competition…

Chris Cooke • 05 Dec 2025

BBC Introducing criticised for featuring AI-generated track in Artist Of The Month spot

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BBC • 2 min read

BBC Introducing criticised for featuring AI-generated track in Artist Of The Month spot

A local edition of ‘BBC Introducing’ has caused controversy within the music community by featuring an entirely AI-generated track in its Artist Of The Month spot. Critics say that, with so little airtime available for new music, the BBC shouldn’t be using that airtime to spotlight AI tracks…

Chris Cooke • 17 Nov 2025

Manchester Evening News pays damages after incorrectly labelling Bob Vylan’s “sun salutation” as a Nazi salute

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Bob Vylan • 3 min read

Manchester Evening News pays damages after incorrectly labelling Bob Vylan’s “sun salutation” as a Nazi salute

When reporting last month on opposition to Bob Vylan’s Manchester show, the Manchester Evening News accused the duo of “performing Nazi salutes” on stage. But those gestures were, in fact, a pre-gig “sun salutation”. The newspaper has now corrected its error and paid “substantial damages”…

Chris Cooke • 10 Nov 2025

Bobby Vylan says he has no regrets about “death to the IDF” chant at Glastonbury

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Bob Vylan • 4 min read

Bobby Vylan says he has no regrets about “death to the IDF” chant at Glastonbury

Bobby Vylan has spoken to Louis Theroux about his controversial BBC broadcast Glastonbury performance, insisting he doesn’t regret leading the crowd in a chant of “death, death to the IDF”. The BBC Editorial Complaints Unit recently concluded that the set breached rules relating to harm and offence…

Chris Cooke • 21 Oct 2025

US musicians’ union says ABC’s cancellation of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ is “state censorship”

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Media • 3 min read

US musicians’ union says ABC’s cancellation of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ is “state censorship”

Under pressure from Trump and US media regulator the FCC, Disney-owned ABC has suspended ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ over comments made on the show about the murder of Charlie Kirk. The American Federation Of Musicians, who has members affected by the suspension, says the move constitutes “state censorship”…

Chris Cooke • 18 Sep 2025

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

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YouTube • 3 min read

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

YouTube is now second only to the BBC when it comes to at-home video consumption, according to a new report from OfCom. The regulator considers what that means for traditional public service broadcasters like the BBC, having recently suggested new laws to force YouTube to sign-post their content…

Chris Cooke • 31 Jul 2025