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\n\tiHeartMedia<\/a>, the largest owner of radio stations in the U.S., agreed to enter into a consent decree with FCC<\/a> to settle a probe the agency launched last year<\/a> into iHeartMedia\u2019s compliance with federal rules prohibiting a specific form of payola dubbed \u201cshowola\u201d \u2014 which involves radio stations pressuring artists to perform at station-hosted music shows or festivals for free or for reduced payment \u201cin exchange for more favorable airtime for their songs,\u201d per the FCC.<\/p>\n \n\tBy entering into the consent decree, iHeartMedia \u201cmakes no admission of liability or violation of any law, regulation or policy,\u201d according to the terms of the agreement, released Thursday. The company also is not paying any fines related to the settlement. iHeart has denied that it engages in \u201cshowola\u201d practices.<\/p>\n \n\tUnder the agreement, iHeartMedia within 60 calendar days will develop and implement \u201crigorous reporting and disclosure procedures to provide the FCC with additional insight into the relationship between spins on air and performances at live events \u2014 ensuring no prohibited pressure or relationships,\u201d according to the FCC.<\/p>\n \n\tThe FCC was specifically looking at whether iHeartMedia improperly was pressuring artists to perform without payment at events including the 2025 iHeartCountry Music Festival in Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n \n\tIn a statement, an iHeartMedia spokesperson said: \u201cWe have appreciated the recent opportunity to engage with the FCC on their questions about our live\u00a0music\u00a0events, including matters relating to artist appearances. As we have consistently noted, iHeart\u2019s industry-leading live music events provide unique opportunities and value to performing artists by enabling them to reach their broad and engaged audiences and to enhance their careers.\u00a0And\u00a0as we have also\u00a0noted, iHeart does not promise artists additional airplay if they perform at an iHeart live music event, or less airplay if they decline an invitation.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe company statement continued: \u201cWe take\u00a0our compliance with the Sponsorship Identification Laws\u00a0very seriously.\u00a0We\u00a0already\u00a0have 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\u00a0in connection with our live events.\u00a0We were pleased to reach this\u00a0resolution\u00a0and thank the Chairman\u00a0and his staff\u00a0for their\u00a0time, focus and commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSan Antonio-based iHeartMedia has a footprint of more than 860 owned radio stations in 160 markets across America.<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to the FCC, the settlement with iHeart is part of its broader policy goals to ensure that artists are treated fairly by radio broadcasters.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe FCC is committed to ensuring that artists \u2014 especially up-and-coming ones \u2014 get a fair shake in their dealings with the broadcast industry,\u201d FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement. \u201cArtists\u2019 talent and the listening public should determine their success. Today\u2019s 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. Artists have every right to ensure that the radio industry complies with the payola and showola regulations that protect them.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe probe into iHeartMedia\u2019s practices in this area was kicked off by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (D-Tenn.), who in January 2025 alerted the FCC of \u201ca potential new payola practice where radio stations and networks offer more airtime for an artist\u2019s songs if the artist performs a free show, with an implicit suggestion that declining to perform could result in reduced airplay.\u201d On Feb. 6, 2025, the FCC\u2019s Enforcement Bureau then issued an enforcement advisory reminding broadcast licensees that payola is not only a violation of U.S. law but may also subject broadcasters to sanctions under the Communications Act.<\/p>\n