FCC chairman Brendan Carr, in a letter to iHeartMedia CEO Robert Pittman on Monday, said that the inquiry relates to possible violations of government rules requiring broadcasters to disclose payments or other consideration for airing certain programming. Under the so-called “payola” rule, all sponsored arrangements must be identified.

The Federal Communications Commission is asking iHeartMedia to prove it isn't making music artists perform without full compensation in exchange for better radio airplay, a possible violation of U.S.