A2IM Study: Payola Still Keeps Indies Music Off Air
18 months after the end of the most extensive payola investigation in a decade and the signing of FCC sponsored Rules of Engagement, a new survey by indie label trade group A2IM shows that independent artists and labels are still being shut out of broadcast radio. According to 61 indie labels who responded to the survey:
Over 92% of independent labels report no change in their relationship with commercial radio since the settlement- 41% reported that payola remains a determining factor in commercial radio airplay
- 47% said indie promotion companies are still a factor
- Asked if that had asked for payola since the FCC settlement, only 39 labels answered and 1 in 4 of those said that they had
“To paint 100% negative picture is wrong,” says Daniel Glass, the chair
of A2IM’s Radio Committee and owner of Glassnote Entertainment Group.
“There are success stories. But we are disappointed to see
independents are still reporting lack of access and cooperation,
despite the new agreements.”
Despite these findings, “Independent labels remain optimistic in the face of a continuing lack of equal treatment by our friends at commercial radio,” says Jim Mahoney, Vice President of Membership at A2IM. He points to the stunning success of independent music at non-terrestrial radio (internet and satellite radio) as an example of a possible future with traditional commercial radio.
Rich Bengloff, President of A2IM, continues, “Rebranding radio as cool and creating a stronger bond with their local listeners is vital to the health of radio. We invite radio programmers to read this report and open their minds – and playlists – to the opportunities presented by playing more independent music.”
READ THE FULL SURVEY HERE.
Your link to the survey isn’t the good one…
Thanks. Links are corrected now.
of the radio station genres, urban radio is the worst about seeking payola
Thanks for this post- it’s not getting better and will not any time soon- from my experience- having worked at an amazin’ major in the 90’s and now running my own indie- I still have faith in great songs and true soul- it’s about passion- the ‘major indies’ that will survive are pressed and distributed by majors-so there not indies- and to get feedback from them is
makes the data irrelevant- they have the cash and access to the staff to get the record worked- if it does not get worked- most cases- it probably just sucks and show not have been pressed- then answer- rather than better A&R is to spend and shuffl to college and specialty shows for 15 minutes- and then say “oh well” and move on-
what keeps this one man indie ticking? Believing that if you do the footwork, the blessings will follow- Believe that. Spend wisely, A&R with vision, yet respect tradition. I think about artist development- and if that’s done right- radio will happen – and then sales. until then?I juggle 3 jobs and work 15 hours a day. Anything less- will not cut it.
mind my grammar, it’s 1:52 am west coast- I just watched Mad Men final episode- and I see reports like this- but I digress.
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I have been singing/programming/producing Dance/Techno/Synth pop crossover music like Depeche Mode/Tiesto for over 16 years and only had a couple of prime time radio spots my song went up against major label acts ” Salt and Peppa” and also “Bone thugs and harmony” their #1 hit “The crossroads” before it went to #1. In both song battle contests my bands song only lost by 15% of the vote….do you think that an unknown band would have a chance in rotation….I DO!!! but this unfair radio system continues to fail the realy talented indie artist…check out free music and video samples and Apple I-tunes links at band website:
And you will understand my point…
Waiting for fair play Dan Krzykwa”Madcap Syndrome”….