Inside the Business of Playlist Placements
Spread the loveWho’s Getting Paid and How In the world of streaming, music discovery has become a finely tuned machine — and at the heart of it lies one of…
Payola is the practice of illegally paying radio stations, DJs, or other media outlets to play specific songs or promote certain artists without disclosing the payment to the public. The term comes from “pay” and “Victrola” (an early record player), and it has historically been associated with the music industry as a way to manipulate airplay and influence popularity.
Payola is considered unethical and illegal in many countries because it undermines fair competition and misleads listeners, who may believe a song is popular due to its quality rather than financial influence. Regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), have established rules to prevent undisclosed payments for airplay.
Spread the loveWho’s Getting Paid and How In the world of streaming, music discovery has become a finely tuned machine — and at the heart of it lies one of…