Why are there radio singles when the CD

[PaulDA]

.....I still don't understand the concept of having 'radio' singles that aren't even sold!!!But I especially don't understand it when the album has already peaked and dropped off the charts long ago. I'll hear of a new single by Rachael Lampa, for example, but the actual album has dropped off the charts many weeks ago. People are excited if it gets into the top ten on whatever format it is out on, but the actual album is not selling much anymore!
.....What is the point of 'radio' singles if the album is dead in the water?
The single isn't even sold and the album isn't selling anyomore....so what is the point of a radio single at that stage?
.....Anyway, in my day (1960s, 1970s, 1980s), singles were actually SOLD. They need to go back to those days and put out singles on CDs with a bonus track or something.

 
 

[MJanke]

.....I still don't understand the concept of having 'radio' singles that aren't even sold!!!But I especially don't understand it when the album has already peaked and dropped off the charts long ago. I'll hear of a new single by Rachael Lampa, for example, but the actual album has dropped off the charts many weeks ago. People are excited if it gets into the top ten on whatever format it is out on, but the actual album is not selling much anymore!
.....What is the point of 'radio' singles if the album is dead in the water?
The single isn't even sold and the album isn't selling anyomore....so what is the point of a radio single at that stage?
.....Anyway, in my day (1960s, 1970s, 1980s), singles were actually SOLD. They need to go back to those days and put out singles on CDs with a bonus track or something.

Well, singles are sold now, a la carte, via things like iTunes.

I think the answer to your question, though, is that the label is hoping a new radio hit will re-ignite sales of the album. Usually doesn't happen, but sometimes they do strike gold.

[PaulDA]

.....I still don't understand the concept of having 'radio' singles that aren't even sold!!!But I especially don't understand it when the album has already peaked and dropped off the charts long ago. I'll hear of a new single by Rachael Lampa, for example, but the actual album has dropped off the charts many weeks ago. People are excited if it gets into the top ten on whatever format it is out on, but the actual album is not selling much anymore!
.....What is the point of 'radio' singles if the album is dead in the water?
The single isn't even sold and the album isn't selling anyomore....so what is the point of a radio single at that stage?
.....Anyway, in my day (1960s, 1970s, 1980s), singles were actually SOLD. They need to go back to those days and put out singles on CDs with a bonus track or something.

Well, singles are sold now, a la carte, via things like iTunes.

I think the answer to your question, though, is that the label is hoping a new radio hit will re-ignite sales of the album. Usually doesn't happen, but sometimes they do strike gold.

Are most singles now available on line?
How about all cuts from albums?
Why don't record companies put out CD singles for every single, with maybe a cut that is not on the album along with it or a remix?

[Vlad!]

Why don't record companies out out CD singles for every single, with maybe a cut that is not on the album along with it or a remix?

The overhead of making the album does not justify the cost of producing a CD. On the other hand, songs can be distributed via online digital music vendors extremely cheaply.