A major payola settlement is expected to be announced in the near future between the FCC and CBS Radio, Clear Channel, Entercom and Citadel. The broadcasters have agreed to a tentative settlement which would pay out $12.5 million to the U.S. government, according to Business Week. Additionally, the companies' stations would offer 8,400 half-hours of free airtime to independent and local artists across a wide range of genres including Country, Hip-Hop, Rock and more. FMQB can confirm that the time devoted to independent artists would be required to air between 6 a.m. and midnight.

FCC sources tell Business Week that the final language of the agreements have yet to be approved and that the payment deal is separate from the airplay agreement. The ownership groups and the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) have also agreed upon "rules of engagement" for the future interaction. "Independent" artists would apparently be defined as those who are not on one of the "big four" record labels.

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) has released a statement on the issue, saying, “While I am withholding judgment on the FCC’s consent decree on payola until it is official, I am encouraged today by reports of a significant financial settlement between the federal government and major radio broadcast companies that improves access and increases air time for independent and local artists. While these developments are a step in the right direction, the apparent lack of an acknowledgement of wrong-doing sends the wrong message. Whatever the final settlement says, it is clear that we need continued oversight both internally and by the FCC to make sure the changes in the industry’s practices are not just on paper.”