Historic Agreement Between Independent Record Labels and Radio

The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), an advocacy group for independent record labels, has announced an agreement with some of the largest radio conglomerates, Clear Channel, Citadel, CBS Radio, and Entercom to set up "rules of engagement" between the labels and radio stations as well as set up a system to help move the share of independent label (or indie) music on the radio closer to the 30% share it enjoys in the marketplace. The agreement is the result of ongoing negotiations that began in June, 2006 in the wake of fines assessed for payola, or the practice of major labels providing gifts and incentives to radio stations to play their music.

For pop music fans, the most significant element of the agreement is probably the establishment of an Independent Music Content Commitment which has been quantified as providing 8,400 half hour blocks of radio airtime dedicated to independent music. This effort was spearheaded by CBS Radio and then endorsed by the other radio groups. Details are still to come on this historic effort to place more independent music on the radio.

This effort was also supported by other major music industry groups such as the Future of Music Coalition, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Federation of Independent Music, Recording Artists Coalition, the Music Managers Forum, and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

For me, if it all boils down to the Shins getting a chance to go head to head with Justin Timberlake on pop radio, we've just entered a new, better era for pop music in the US.