Iheartmedia to Enhance Compliance Following FCC Payola Settlement

WHO:

Deadline - iHeartMedia, the largest owner of radio stations in the U.S.

Variety - FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

WHAT:

Billboard - iHeartMedia will implement new compliance procedures to satisfy the FCC, which questioned the company's practices regarding artist performances and airplay.

AllHipHop - The FCC's investigation revealed issues with how iHeartMedia treated artists in relation to its festival scheme.

Billboard - iHeartMedia will implement new reporting measures to ensure legal compliance as part of the settlement with the FCC.

Deadline - iHeartMedia has agreed to enter into a consent decree with the FCC to end an investigation.

Variety - The FCC launched a probe into iHeartMedia’s compliance with federal rules prohibiting a specific form of payola known as "showola."

WHERE:

Deadline - The investigation pertains to a company-sponsored music festival in Austin.

WHEN:

Variety - The investigation was launched last year.

WHY:

Billboard - The FCC questioned whether iHeartMedia pressured artists to perform free shows in exchange for airplay.

Variety - The investigation focused on whether iHeartMedia provided artists with greater or less airplay based on their performance fees.

HOW:

Deadline - iHeartMedia will develop a compliance plan as part of the consent decree.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 02:51 UTC)

iHeartMedia is set to implement new compliance procedures to address concerns raised by the FCC regarding its practices related to artist performances and airplay. An investigation by the FCC uncovered issues with how iHeartMedia has treated artists in connection with its festival scheme. These changes aim to ensure that the company meets regulatory standards moving forward.

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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 23:20 UTC)

iHeartMedia is set to implement new reporting measures to ensure legal compliance as part of a settlement with the FCC. This decision comes after the FCC raised concerns about whether iHeartMedia pressured artists to perform free shows in exchange for airplay. The new measures aim to address these issues and enhance transparency in the industry.

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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 20:36 UTC)

iHeartMedia, the largest owner of radio stations in the U.S., has agreed to enter into a consent decree with the FCC to conclude an investigation into its compliance with federal rules regarding a specific form of payola known as "showola." This investigation, which was launched last year, centered around a company-sponsored music festival in Austin and examined whether iHeartMedia offered artists different levels of airplay based on their performance fees. As part of the consent decree, iHeartMedia will develop a compliance plan to ensure adherence to the regulations moving forward.