# iHeartMedia Settles FCC Payola Investigation, Agrees to Adopt New Reporting Measures to Ensure Legal Compliance

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/iheartmedia-settles-fcc-payola-investigation-agrees-to-adopt-new-reporting-measures-to-ensure-legal-compliance/
- Published: 2026-07-10T14:39:41+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-11T04:15:17+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/music/news/iheartmedia-settles-payola-fcc-investigation-consent-decree-1236805845/
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Music

## Summary

iHeartMedia, the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, has agreed to a consent decree with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to settle an investigation into "showola" — a form of payola in which stations allegedly pressure artists to perform at station-hosted events for free or reduced pay in exchange for more favourable airtime. The settlement matters because it caps a probe launched last year and forms part of the FCC's stated effort to ensure artists, particularly emerging ones, are treated fairly by broadcasters. Notably, iHeartMedia makes no admission of liability, pays no fines and continues to deny engaging in showola practices.

Under the agreement, released on Thursday, iHeartMedia has 60 calendar days to develop and implement stricter reporting and disclosure procedures giving the FCC greater insight into the relationship between on-air airplay and live-event performances. The regulator had specifically examined whether the company improperly pressured artists to perform without payment at events including the 2025 iHeartCountry Music Festival in Austin, Texas. San Antonio-based iHeartMedia, which owns more than 860 radio stations across 160 US markets, said it takes compliance with Sponsorship Identification Laws seriously and that it does not promise artists more airplay for performing, or less for declining.

## Coverage

- [Variety: iHeartMedia Settles FCC Payola Investigation, Agrees to Adopt New Reporting Measures to Ensure Legal Compliance](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/iheartmedia-settles-payola-fcc-investigation-consent-decree-1236805845/)
- [Deadline: FCC Says iHeartMedia Will Implement Compliance Plan After Payola Investigation](https://deadline.com/2026/07/iheartmedia-fcc-payola-1236978613/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.