Rhino
3/7/2007, 10:44 AM
Stations agree on anti-payola settlement (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/4603527.html)
"Federal law and FCC rules require broadcasters to inform listeners if a station is being paid to play a song. The FCC can fine its licensees, but any criminal investigation would be undertaken by the Department of Justice.
When finalized, the consent decree will result in the second-largest fine ever issued by the FCC — if a recently reported $24 million settlement with Univision Communications Inc. regarding children's television obligations is also approved.
The broadcasters represent four of the six largest radio firms in the U.S. and own a combined total of 1,653 stations. The cash breakdown on the settlement is Entercom, $4 million; Clear Channel, $3.5 million; Citadel, $2 million; CBS, $3 million."
Four major broadcast companies would pay the government $12.5 million and provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for independent record labels and local artists, The Associated Press has learned.
In a statement Monday, Commissioner Michael Copps said pay-for-play "cheats radio listeners and will not be tolerated." Radio, he said, is "supposed to be our pipeline to exciting, local undiscovered acts — not more nationalized pablum from big media companies." Mr. Copps - you are 10x the commissioner that Michael Powell was. Kudos!
"Federal law and FCC rules require broadcasters to inform listeners if a station is being paid to play a song. The FCC can fine its licensees, but any criminal investigation would be undertaken by the Department of Justice.
When finalized, the consent decree will result in the second-largest fine ever issued by the FCC — if a recently reported $24 million settlement with Univision Communications Inc. regarding children's television obligations is also approved.
The broadcasters represent four of the six largest radio firms in the U.S. and own a combined total of 1,653 stations. The cash breakdown on the settlement is Entercom, $4 million; Clear Channel, $3.5 million; Citadel, $2 million; CBS, $3 million."
Four major broadcast companies would pay the government $12.5 million and provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for independent record labels and local artists, The Associated Press has learned.
In a statement Monday, Commissioner Michael Copps said pay-for-play "cheats radio listeners and will not be tolerated." Radio, he said, is "supposed to be our pipeline to exciting, local undiscovered acts — not more nationalized pablum from big media companies." Mr. Copps - you are 10x the commissioner that Michael Powell was. Kudos!