Senate to probe radio for payola:<P>In its current form, there are two payolalike practices. One refers to the fact that radio stations enter exclusive arrangements with independent promoters who guarantee the station a fixed monthly or annual payment. In return, songs "suggested" by such an independent promoter are the most likely to be added to playlists. This practice is allegedly used by Clear Channel and Radio One. The second de facto payola practice occurs when many legitimate independent promoters hired by the labels use the labels' money to pay for airplay. <P>Clear Channel has been the focus of most payola complaints because it is the nation's largest station group and it owns the nation's largest concert promotion company. During the Commerce Committee hearing, Clear Channel CEO Lowry Mays told lawmakers that the company did not participate in any illegal payola activities. <P><A HREF="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=91&ncid=91&e=8&u=/bpihw/20030224/en_bpihw/senate_to_probe_payola_in_radio" TARGET=_blank>Full Article[/url] <BR><p>[This message has been edited by raebyddet (edited 02-24-2003).]
