Infinity Boardcasting swears off Payola

[Homebrew]

The New York Times is reporting that Infinity Boardcasting is severing ties to the Pay-for-Play machine. (otherwise known as Payola, I don’t care if they claim it’s not the same.)

Radio Chain to Cut Ties to Promoters Paid by Labels
Infinity Broadcasting, one of the nation’s largest radio chains, said yesterday that it planned to sever its relationships with independent record promoters, distancing itself from a practice that critics have likened to bribes. Infinity, which has 184 stations, has instructed its programmers not to do business with any such promoters, who are middlemen paid by the major record labels to promote new singles.

What does this mean for the future of radio? Will it again be possible for someone without a major label to make it on the radio? Will a new Alan Freed be able to arise?

[ultrafilter]

I dunno, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Homebrew]

Personally, I think the consolidation (Clear Channel and Infinity) means there will never be another Alan Freed; but it should make a little room for more independent artists.