On another note, this would allow Apple to offer a 'backup' of everyone's purchased music and shows - which just means you can re-download them anytime you want rather than store them locally. If iTunes goes Bittorrent it might fundamentally change usage patterns of the net. if they're right this would be a significant saving to Apple. TWiT reckons it costs Apple 25c/song for a download. If Apple released a bittorrent model, it would move the upload cost to subscribers, who often pay nothing for uploads. The download fee becomes a larger portion of the cost. Till now, the purchase model has ensured people pay a larger price per show, and only download once - while a subscription model would be a smaller price per show and it's feasible that some subscribers will watch the same thing again a week later. Of course, if I'm downloading direct from the provider, then someone still has to pay to provide shows (there's a specific cost for each show downloaded). I would prefer to have a single bill for all subscriptions, but if I'm only watching a couple then I could pay them directly.
Apple lists em, for free so far, but the podcasters host the files.True, as long as there is a payment model that works too (for stuff like HBO On Demand). they could just use a similar setup as their Podcast listings.