But Those Radio Stations Are Giving Away Free Music!

Hmm. If radio is such a great promotional tool, why do today’s most-played artists sell a fraction of what their counterparts did in the 80s and 90s?
You seem to be arguing that business models shouldn’t change as technology changes — not your usual position when it comes to the music industry. Besides, why should commercial over-the-air stations have an entitlement that online and satellite broadcasters don’t have? They’re already getting their airwaves for free, do they really need free content, too? If so, shouldn’t that also apply to sports programming and syndicated talk shows? I mean, Rush Limbaugh would be just another guy with an opinion if not for the promotional power of radio….