Radio listeners weary of hearing the same songs over and over may have something to cheer about: Several weeks ago, broadcasters agreed to anti-payola settlements that could shake up music playlists at some of the nations largest radio chains.
Four major broadcast companies will pay the government $12.5 million and provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for independent record labels and local artists, as reported by The Associated Press.
The agreement is aimed at curbing payola - generally defined as radio stations accepting cash or other consideration from record companies in exchange for airplay. This practice has been around as long as the radio industry and was made illegal after scandals in the late 1950s.
The American Association of Independent Music, a group of independent record labels, has received a commitment from the same four broadcasters for the free airtime, the officials said.
In addition to airplay, the broadcasters and the independent labels have also negotiated a set of "rules of engagement" that will guide how record company representatives and radio programmers interact.
The free airtime would be granted to companies not owned or controlled by the nation's four dominant music labels - Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and EMI Group.
As a result of the new agreement, the debut single from Baby Ree Entertainment, Butch Cassidy and Damizza’s “CRUZIN” is experiencing true independent success. Without a million dollar radio promotion budget such as “independent” releases Jim Jones’ “We Fly High” or DJ UNK’s “Walk It Out”, “CRUZIN” is on pace to exceed the number of independent release radio spins, averaging 500 spins a week in less then a month. “CRUZIN” can be heard on the first release from Butch Cassidy and Damizza’s “BACK B4 YOU’RE LONELY” due out on April 3rd.
Two of the top 3 Radio Markets recently added “CRUZIN”, Los Angeles ’ POWER 106 and San Diego ’s Z90. With the west coast on lock, Baby Ree is looking to expand in a short time.
Baby Ree Entertainment is a truly independent, multi-faceted Entertainment company that is distributed through Fontana Distribution with such artists as Damizza, Butch Cassidy and more.
Four major broadcast companies will pay the government $12.5 million and provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for independent record labels and local artists, as reported by The Associated Press.
The agreement is aimed at curbing payola - generally defined as radio stations accepting cash or other consideration from record companies in exchange for airplay. This practice has been around as long as the radio industry and was made illegal after scandals in the late 1950s.
The American Association of Independent Music, a group of independent record labels, has received a commitment from the same four broadcasters for the free airtime, the officials said.
In addition to airplay, the broadcasters and the independent labels have also negotiated a set of "rules of engagement" that will guide how record company representatives and radio programmers interact.
The free airtime would be granted to companies not owned or controlled by the nation's four dominant music labels - Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and EMI Group.
As a result of the new agreement, the debut single from Baby Ree Entertainment, Butch Cassidy and Damizza’s “CRUZIN” is experiencing true independent success. Without a million dollar radio promotion budget such as “independent” releases Jim Jones’ “We Fly High” or DJ UNK’s “Walk It Out”, “CRUZIN” is on pace to exceed the number of independent release radio spins, averaging 500 spins a week in less then a month. “CRUZIN” can be heard on the first release from Butch Cassidy and Damizza’s “BACK B4 YOU’RE LONELY” due out on April 3rd.
Two of the top 3 Radio Markets recently added “CRUZIN”, Los Angeles ’ POWER 106 and San Diego ’s Z90. With the west coast on lock, Baby Ree is looking to expand in a short time.
Baby Ree Entertainment is a truly independent, multi-faceted Entertainment company that is distributed through Fontana Distribution with such artists as Damizza, Butch Cassidy and more.
