I reckon the record companies could be cutting off their nose to spite their face here. I don't know about anyone else, but I use youtube to have a listen to performers I've not heard before to see if I like 'em. For instance, somebody told me about a little rock 'n' roll band called Ducks DeLuxe who played the London pubs in the 70's. Had a listen on youtube, liked what I heard and ordered their CD. If I couldn't have "previewed" them, I wouldn't have bothered. And not only that, sometimes youtube can remind you of just how good somebody is that you'd forgotten about over the years. Was listening to some Dave Edmunds the other day. Result? Another CD ordered, which might not have been otherwise, thanks to youtube!
