The “Grey’s Anatomy” to “Vh1 You Oughta Know Artist” pipeline (or was it the other way around?) was really flowing for a couple of years there

It’s partially that but your point about the streaming model is more on point — clearing music rights for streaming is a whole other beast from clearing them for syndication or cable, which is why many moderately popular shows that used the trope heavily aren’t available to stream. ‘Joan of Arcadia’ and ‘Judging Amy’ come to mind among cheesy shows I loved in the early 2000s.

‘Cold Case’ not only leaned heavily on music syncs to power the storytelling and pull easy emotional levers, they milked them for extra $$$. I distinctly recall a then-upcoming album release from Bruce Springsteen being cross-promoted on ‘Cold Case.’ Three or four of the tracks were played in the episode, and the episode was promoted on the opportunity to hear the songs before anyone else.