It may be because people like it?
God, I hate when people bring up "payola." MOST songs you see in the top 50 did have "payola" to start out with, but once they climb, "payola" isn't needed. (Hence why PCD was added by Z100 before anyone else, but is barely going to reach the top 30.) Sure some have hype, but most songs, yes, even Britney, Kelly, Beyonce, Katy, GaGa, P!nk, etc., all use payola to start out with. In the long run, radio is only going to play what is bringing listeners. If it isn't bringing in listeners, then no amount of money will make them play it. Z100 isn't going to add a polka song even if they were offered $1,000,000 dollars to do one spin.
It's called royalties. Ever heard of them?
