An over-the-air radio station that plays music for free is a rival good, while a streaming radio service that charges a subscription fee is a nonrival good.

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A rival good is one that cannot be enjoyed by more than one person at the same time without diminishing its availability to others. An over-the-air radio station plays music that can be listened to by anyone with a receiver without affecting others' ability to listen, making it a nonrival good. A streaming radio service, even though it charges a fee, allows multiple subscribers to listen simultaneously without affecting each other's experience, also making it a nonrival good. The distinction here is not based on the cost but on the nature of consumption and whether or not one person's consumption prevents another's.

An Over-The-Air Radio Station That Plays Music for Free Is