For all the grief that MTV has gotten in recent years since it essentially stopped showing music videos, television remains one of the most effective ways to introduce fans to new music. Only not through music videos, but through prominent placement on popular network shows. Looking to save money on licensing artists for its shows and break new acts of its own, CBS Corp. is relaunching its storied music label to sign new bands and team with online providers like iTunes.
Betanews points to CBS's acquisition of the CW--the merged UPN and WB, which CBS took over after joining with Time Warner in 2005--as the lightbulb moment.

"Popular CW shows, such as Smallville and 7th Heaven, feature musical tracks prominently, then tell viewers at the end the name of the artist and CD, along with an ad for a music vendor. With broadcast radio's influence waning very suddenly, the WB/CW strategy paid off more than anyone expected.

"If [CBS CEO Les Moonves'] plan works, he could in effect use one of the greatest brands that the recording industry left behind, to establish a new music distribution system that encourages artists' participation, bypassing the recording industry altogether. With CBS Radio still a component of CBS Corp. - having revived that classic brand in a makeover of Viacom's former Infinity Broadcasting - artists may also be assured of over-the-airwaves publicity.