Originally Posted by melgross

I disagree with both posts. These were being provided to Apple for free. They benefit Apple as well as MLB. Apple must learn to play with its content providers or they will find themselves bereft of any content. Then it will be the fans using iTunes who suffer. These podcasts will end up somewhere else where they will be more appreciated.

Originally Posted by sibelius

I have to agree with the first two posts on this and side with Apple. Having worked in marketing for almost 20 years now I am THRILLED at Apple's decision. Too many good services tend to fall at some point or another due to greed in advertising. Can you imagine an iTunes store where ad placement went to the highest bidder? It happens everywhere. Just go to Google and do a search. If your search contains certain keywords you'll find that you have to sift through a bunch of bogus results simply because they're paying Google to rank them higher based on certain key words. Shoot -- I've even made up words and searched for them in Google. Guess what -- I got a whole list of people who claimed to have "bogus word" in stock and on sale.

Google started out good, but they really have to watch how far they are willing to sell out their accuracy.

If Apple bends over and allows the MLB to call the shots on HOW they're promoted on iTunes and WHERE their promotions go... well... do you really think they're going to be the ONLY ones to do it? Do you realize that if Apple opened the doors to paid placement and advertising that the only podcasts we'd ever be able to easily find would be for major commercial players?

What about Coverville? What about Tiki Bar TV? or any of the audio books by Scott Sigler? Those are produced by people with talent who are no more famous or rich than you or me. Those are three of my favorite podcasts. I personally don't have time to sift through pages and pages and pages of "paid-for-placement" podcasts to find something new and original. I simply don't have the time.

Apple made good on it's promise -- to deliver a method for people to podcast on an equal playing field. It doesn't matter if you're Joe Schmoe in your bedroom recording your thoughts on starving Pugs in Missouri, or if you're Wal-Mart. Equal play. Your podcasting destiny is based on how good your content is, not how much you're willing to pay (or can afford).

Glass raised to Apple for not allowing corruption in -- Another glass raised to Apple for not letting the big music industry run the show -- or the television industry -- or the movie industry -- or any industry. Set the standards and let everyone play equally. Let their content sell itself.

Bravo!!

Originally Posted by sibelius

Just go to Google and do a search. If your search contains certain keywords you'll find that you have to sift through a bunch of bogus results simply because they're paying Google to rank them higher based on certain key words. Shoot -- I've even made up words and searched for them in Google. Guess what -- I got a whole list of people who claimed to have "bogus word" in stock and on sale.

Google started out good, but they really have to watch how far they are willing to sell out their accuracy.