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# Can Payola Save Internet Radio?
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/can-payola-save/
- Published: 2008-09-08T11:29:28.000Z
- Updated: 2008-09-08T11:29:28.000Z
- Description: A Silicon Alley Insider op-ed piece by Doug Perison of net radio ad network TargetSpot advocates for what I think has to be one of the worst ideas I’ve heard. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2008/09/can-payola-save.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Streaming, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:06

[![Thumbsdown_3](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize/www.hypebot.com/hypebot/images/2008/09/08/thumbsdown_3.jpg "Thumbsdown_3")](https://www.hypebot.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/08/thumbsdown%5F3.jpg)

  
A [Silicon Alley Insider](http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/9/could-payola-save-online-radio?ref=hypebot.com) op-ed piece by Doug Perison of net radio ad network [TargetSpot](http://www.targetspot.com/home/?ref=hypebot.com) advocates for what I think has to be one of the worst ideas I’ve heard in a long time: saving internet radio by selling sponsored song plays.

Internet radio is struggling under new draconian royalty demands; and unlike broadcast radio, payola is probably legal on the net. I can even imagine broadcasters would add identifying sponsor tags. None of that makes this a good idea.

People listen to music on the net to escape broadcast radio’s "ick" factor created by endless ads, hype-driven DJ’s, overproduced promos. To bring any hint of that to internet radio is a huge mistake. If you want to help internet radio, fight the royalty rates or better yet waive any royalty payment at all from select broadcasters. It may not earn Don a commission, but it will keep millions from switching stations yet again.