iHeartMedia Settles FCC ‘Payola’ Investigation Without Any Fine or Determination of Wrongdoing
Categoria: Musica
The radio giant is boosting compliance procedures to satisfy the federal agency, which questioned whether artists perform free shows in exchange for airplay.
Por Billboard | 09/07/2026
iHeartMedia has agreed to beef up its anti-payola compliance policies to resolve a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigation that questioned whether the radio giant offers artists additional airplay in exchange for free performances at its events. The consent decree, announced on Thursday (July 9) and reviewed by Billboard , does not include any financial penalty or determination that iHeart is involved in payola — the illegal practice of trading radio plays for undisclosed payments. iHeart maintains that artists choose to perform free or low-cost gigs for exposure, and that these concerts have no effect on airplay. Related iHeartCountry Festival Comes Under Scrutiny in FCC Payola Investigation Naoshi Fujikura of Universal Music Japan on Japan's Unique Superfan Culture & Global Ambitions: Billboard Global Power Players Interview Katsumi Kuroiwa of Avex on the Bruno Mars Publishing Deal & Taking the Company Worldwide: Billboard Global Power Players Interview To settle the investigation launched by the FCC last year, iHeart has agreed to create a new internal plan for complying with anti-payola laws, including setting up trainings for employees and establishing a whistleblower hotline. A senior corporate manager at the company will become its new compliance officer and report to the board. And for three years, iHeart will file regular reports to the FCC disclosing all artists who’ve performed at company events, the amount of compensation received and the airplay stats for their music before and after each concert. FCC chair Brendan Carr said in a statement that the agreement “adds significant new protections and offers the FCC greater transparency to ensure that artists retain their right to decide when and where they will perform.” “The FCC is committed to ensuring that artists — especially up-and-coming ones — get a fair shake in their dealings with the broadcast industry,” added Carr. “Artists have every right to ensure that the radio industry complies with the payola and showola regulations that protect them.” iHeart released its own statement reiterating that the company “does not promise artists additional airplay if they perform at an iHeart live music event, or less airplay if they decline an invitation.” Related U.S. Senator Asks FCC to Stop Radio Stations From Exchanging Airplay for Free Concerts: ‘Payola’ “We take our compliance with the Sponsorship Identification Laws very seriously,” said iHeart. “We already have practices and procedures in place to address them, and we appreciated the opportunity to work with Chairman Carr and his staff to develop industry-leading approaches to augment our existing procedures to ensure continued compliance in connection with our live events. We were pleased to reach this resolution and thank the chairman and his staff for their time, focus and commitment.” The FCC’s iHeart probe began in early 2025 after U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) s