Buying the Charts

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AP reports: Controversy surrounding overnight airplay on radio is nothing new for the recording industry. But the current flap over tracks played late at night in label-sponsored "spin programs" presents a new twist on past grievances.

A growing number of labels are purchasing overnight advertising time at small- to medium-size radio chains and using the time for repeated play of singles in their entirety -- sometimes hundreds of times in a given week.

These spin programs, or "spot buys," have emerged in the past year as increasingly popular tools for labels looking to influence airplay chart positions.

For instance, while much of Nashville slept during the pre-dawn hours of May 23, Avril Lavigne's latest single was airing as many as three times per hour on top 40 station WQZQ.