UVN Univision Communications

The federal government settled payola charges against Spanish-language network Univision Communications Inc. (UVN) over allegations that some of its radio stations or employees secretly accepted payment to play some songs more frequently.

The $1 million settlement was announced Monday by the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission, which has rules that bar broadcasters from taking undisclosed payments in return for airing radio or TV programming.

(This story and related background material will be available on The Wall Street Journal Web site, WSJ.com.)

Univision's radio division was accused of secretly accepting payment from an unnamed record label in exchange for more frequent play of some of the label's artists. As part of the settlement, Univision Radio agreed to limit the size of gifts, concert tickets or other payments that Univision stations and employees can receive and to regularly train employees about payola restrictions.

The company didn't admit to any violation of the law as part of the settlement. In a statement, Univision said the agreement concluded a three-year Justice Department investigation into the payola allegations of some former employees at Univision Music Group, which was sold in 2008.

"The actions of these employees were undertaken without the knowledge of anyone at Univision outside of UMG," the company said in a statement. "Upon learning of these activities, Univision self-reported to the U.S. Attorney's Office and has cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities throughout the investigation process.."

In addition to 57 full or low-power TV stations across the U.S., Univision also owns or programs 70 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 largest Hispanic markets.

The last major FCC action to crack down on payola came in April 2007, when the agency announced a $12.5 million settlement with four radio broadcasters to settle charges that they accepted cash and merchandise from record companies in exchange for airplay.

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