Country’s biggest radio broadcasting companies will have to set aside a few million dollars and a few thousand hours of primetime radio for independent artists. Payola karma.
“Four of the nation’s largest broadcast radio companies have agreed to pay a combined $12.5 million to settle a federal investigation into “pay-for-play” practices and will provide thousands of hours of free airtime to local musicians and independent record labels, sources familiar with the agreement said today.”
“In a separate agreement, the radio companies have agreed to set aside 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime over the next three years for local and independent artists. The segments would have to air between 6 a.m. and midnight.”
Update 3/8/07: Davey D comments on ruling. Points out that “indie” isn’t well defined in agreement and also raises issue with continuing struggles for independent artists to gain exposure, especially since Clear Channel has a patent on recording live performances! WTF?
