Possibly the most sycophantic article from a podcast news site ever written about corporate interests in podcasting!
TLDR: Apple is introducing video to its Podcasts app, but only if you host with one of four large provider/ad networks: podnews.net/article/v…
From (apparently highly-regarded) Podnews' article:
“Whether it’s truly “open” or not, it follows the ethos of podcasting - that creators should be responsible for distribution and for monetisation."
The word “responsible” is doing serious concealment work here. If Apple had opened this to all podcast providers, it would follow the ethos of podcasting. Instead they’ve launched with four big players, which increases (or even incentivises) lock-in in an industry that is meant to put creators in the driving seat. Podcasting started with RSS precisely so creators controlled distribution. Restricting access to a handful of corporate partners inverts that original promise.
Much of the industry is drifting toward the legacy media model with big corporations extracting value from creators and listeners. Podnews.net seems happy to be along for the ride.
I hope Apple moves quickly to open its API to all podcast providers, especially independent networks like Myke Hurley and Stephen Hackett’s Relay.
More from the Apple fans at Podnews:
“The Apple team are deep thinkers and want the best for the industry. This is a good move for the entire industry; and whatever we might think of the “per-impression” charge, it does mean that Apple also wants this to be a success."
That is a remarkably generous take. Apple wants what is best for Apple. If supporting an industry in specific ways lets Apple monetize it, they’ll do that. If Apple wanted what was best for the industry, they would have built an open solution, not a proprietary one; or at least a solution open to all, not just four big players.
But maybe I’m behind the times on modern podcasting. I don’t even really think that video should be considered a podcast… I’ll go back to shouting at clouds.
Looking forward to hearing what the Upgrade boys think of this: www.relay.fm/upgrade