Some "players" like Stitcher are trying their best to get away from that, though. And they're seeing moderate success, too.
I feel like podcasts have simply been overlooked by big media types, and the day is coming where enough power will concentrate and advertisers will only want to give money to networks instead of individual podcasts.
Enjoy the freedom while it lasts. I think 5 years from now, no individuals will be able to make money from it without joining a "network."
I did Stitcher for a bit. It was kind of ok. But the walled garden felt wrong and at some point I couldn't find a podcast on stitcher I wanted. So I found Downcast (iOS app). While it's not perfect, it does let me access my spaghetti-and-duct-tape BBC radio downloader easily.
I feel like podcasts have simply been overlooked by big media types, and the day is coming where enough power will concentrate and advertisers will only want to give money to networks instead of individual podcasts.
Enjoy the freedom while it lasts. I think 5 years from now, no individuals will be able to make money from it without joining a "network."