>EDIT: Also, This American Life, which is hugely popular and
>more expensive to produce gets by with an app for a one time
>cost to stream EVERY episode. I don't NEED to download it, but
>if I'm paying a per month cost, then I should be able to. I
>don't always have reception to listen to the streamable
>episodes.

That show's already produced and paid for outside of the app. Not saying that I agree with how he handles old episodes, but you can't compare the business model of something recorded in a guy's garage with that of a nationally syndicated public radio program.