there are lots of sites out there that use only licensed content and have successful affiliate programs. if the tour is good and the site converts and retains, who cares if the content is exclusive?

the 1 - 3 affiliates thing sounds like a pain in the ass. after all, how can you find 3 perfect affiliates - and what about review sites? they convert pretty well, don't spread your content all over and there's a lot more than 3 that i like to be listed on.