Overview
- The FCC and iHeartMedia agreed to a consent decree that closes the agency’s investigation into alleged 'showola' practices without fines or an admission of liability.
- Under the deal iHeart must adopt a formal compliance program that includes a designated compliance officer, annual reports, staff training, a compliance checklist and a direct reporting line to the officer.
- The company also must establish a whistleblower hotline and implement reporting and disclosure procedures within 60 days to give the FCC more visibility into ties between spins and live performances.
- The probe began after a senator raised concerns about stations pressuring artists to perform at company events, and the agency had focused on appearances at the 2025 iHeartCountry Music Festival in Austin.
- iHeart denies improper conduct and says its live events benefit artists, while the FCC says the settlement strengthens artist protections and invites reports of suspected violations to payola@fcc.gov.