Do record labels pay radio stations to play their artists?

Yes and no. Throughout history, music publishers (before radio, publishers of sheet music sometimes paid famous conductors to perform their songs), song pluggers-- today called record promoters, and various record executives sometimes were guilty of what is called "payola" or pay for play. read more

Yes and no. Throughout history, music publishers (before radio, publishers of sheet music sometimes paid famous conductors to perform their songs), song pluggers-- today called record promoters, and various record executives sometimes were guilty of what is called "payola" or pay for play. read more

In most countries, radio stations do have to pay artists, music publishers and record labels to play their songs. In the UK, the fees for this are around 8-10% of total radio station revenues, depending on the size of station. read more

If you understand the business relationship between record labels and radio stations, you understand the very essence of the music business. To put it simply, they need each other. A record label needs radio airplay to deliver the music of its artists to an audience of radio listeners. read more