The airplay on Justin Timberlake's "Until the End of Time" is more deliberate than arbitrary - at least, it is now.
I checked with Billboard's Raphael George, who manages the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. He tells me that WGCI in Chicago started playing "Until the End of Time" from Justin's album, which inspired his label, Jive, to promote the song at urban radio. That's why it is doing so much better on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Raphael adds that a remix, with Beyonce, is coming in about two weeks. Hmm, wonder if that will help the song cross over to top 40 radio!
To answer your question about early airplay on songs that later become singles, there's no one result that is always the same. It can hurt a song's chances, but it can also help.
Beyonce is going to KILL her career. Chick doesn't know how to take a break..how to make people say "Damn, I need some new Beyonce!". There will be no anticipation for her next album at this rate.
