Is my theory correct? Stores playing piped music have to pay for it and since they are cheap they play old?

Question

stuff that they can get for a very low price. Doesn't this explain the woeful quality and selection of music played in most businesses?

Answer 1

you are correct that they usually have to pay for it but the selection is based on the mood they want in the store.

Answer 2

Nope...unless the music is in the public domain, they have to pay royalties on what they play regardless of its age.  Most stores base the music played on the demographics of their shoppers plus psychological studies (a store in a suburban mall with mostly boomers for customers would probably refrain from playing hip-hop or Urban).  Also, softer music is less nerve jarring, so that is why you get "muzak."