iHeartMedia has reached a Consent Decree with the FCC over alleged payola violations. The agreement addresses concerns that iHeart tied artist airplay to free performances at company events.
What We Know
Senator Marsha Blackburn first raised the alarm in January 2025. She alleged that iHeart offered artists more airtime in exchange for free performances at events like iHeartRadio Music Festival and Jingle Ball. The FCC subsequently issued a broader advisory to all broadcasters. Chairman Brendan Carr then sent a direct letter to CEO Bob Pittman demanding compliance assurances.
What’s At Stake
The FCC’s Sponsorship Identification Laws prohibit covert exchanges of airplay for artist appearances. Additionally, artists — especially emerging ones — may have faced implicit pressure to perform for free or risk reduced airplay. iHeart generates significant revenue from live events, so these practices carry real financial implications. The decree requires iHeart to augment its compliance procedures and grant the FCC greater transparency.
What Remains Unclear
iHeart explicitly denied trading airplay for performances. Furthermore, the Consent Decree includes no admission of wrongdoing. It remains uncertain whether other major broadcast companies engage in similar practices. The FCC has not yet indicated whether additional investigations involving other broadcasters are forthcoming.
What It Means
This agreement signals the FCC’s renewed focus on enforcing payola rules in the modern radio landscape. Artists now have stronger procedural protections when negotiating with broadcast groups. However, real enforcement depends on whether iHeart’s updated internal policies produce meaningful change. Carr’s statement made clear that talent — not business leverage — should drive an artist’s success.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.