Four Radio Companies Reach Federal Payola Settlement

In a landmark agreement, Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Entercom and Citadel have collectively agreed to pay the FCC $12.5 million in fines over alleged violations of the agency’s anti-payola laws, and have also agreed to donate 8,400 hours of airtime to independent artists and record labels interested in promoting new music that critics charge large radio groups rarely, if ever, put on the air.