Station Slapped For Contest

New York City radio station Hot 97 (WQHT) has agreed to pay a $300,000 settlement for airing a concert ticket contest called “Smackfest,” where two women would compete by slapping each other.

The hip-hop channel had been under investigation by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

Spitzer filed a civil suit against the station, claiming the contest violated laws on combative sports. Hot 97 parent Emmis Radio has agreed to pay a $240,000 fine and will donate $60,000 to a non-profit group that promotes awareness of domestic violence.

“Despite the fact that the contestants voluntarily participated in what was supposed to be harmless entertainment, it was not our finest hour,” Emmis Radio President Rick Cummings said in a statement.

The station began the contest in April of last year. Two women would slap each other in the studio and, according to the rules, could not brace themselves against the slapping. Along with concert tickets, Hot 97 reportedly offered a $5,000 grand prize. The bouts were broadcast on the station’s Web site.

The station has also been criticized for a tune called “The Tsunami Song” that has reportedly been branded as racist and sexist by NYC Council Member John Liu. The producer who wrote the song was fired.

“This agreement should be a wake-up call to all those in the entertainment industry who think outrageousness is a clever marketing strategy,” Spitzer said in a statement.