First Big Radio tried to attack satellite radio with their Hear It Here First campaign (which was perfectly countered with XM's Hear It Here Best). Oh right, sorry, Hear It Here First was a "pro-radio" campaign, not "anti-satellite radio" or anything. Sure. And that $28 Million spent in "pro-radio" advertising was worth every penny considering how many people continue to flock to satellite radio, podcasting and other alternatives.

So now it seems like terrestrial needs to turn up the heat. This time it's not about hearing anything first, but rather the message is: You shouldn't have to PAY for radio. (UPDATE: You can listen to the commerical spots here.)

I love it. Does the NAB realize that "pay radio" actually has a premium connotation? That highlighting this is actually benefitial to satellite radio? C'mon, Marketing 101 kids. XM tells you to Listen Large, and SIRIUS offers a Huge Gift in a Little Box, both positioning themselves as a superior product - meanwhile terrestrial scrambles to go on the offensive.

[Billboard Radio Monitor] 

Warner Music Group has become the second major label company (the first was Sony BMG) to settle against Eliot Spitzer's ongoing payola investigation and has agreed to pay up $5 million and abandon the practice as a result. How nice.

According to Spitzer's office, the payola took several forms:

• Direct bribes to radio programmers, including airfare, electronics and tickets to premier sporting events and concerts
• Payments to radio stations to cover operational expenses
• Radio contest giveaways for listeners, including flyaways, concert tickets, iPods, gift certificates and gift cards
• Use of independent promoters to act as conduits for illegal payments to radio stations
• The purchase of "spin programs" to artificially increase the airplay of particular recordings.

XM Satellite Radio will broadcast Highway 16 on WNYE 91.5 FM starting today giving New York City a temporary country music radio station just in time for the CMA Awards Show. NYC hasn’t had a country radio station since May 2002.

This will be the first time in XM Satellite Radio?s history that one of their channels will broadcast from a terrestrial point.

WYNE is a public station owned by the city of New York.

Thanks Sean!