The new version of the Zune software is out, version 2.5, and their podcast directory is gone! It seems they were having too much trouble not getting podcasts listed. (Of course the damage of selective listings has already been done.) Podcast support is still there, it's just the listings that are gone.

The marketplace has been completely removed from the software, including the music marketplace. There is a marketplace online but it has yet to be updated to reflect the change in software. It is possible that they could list podcasts online but from the lazy way they treated the former listings I suspect not.

I wondered why my podcast was never showing up in the directory no matter how many times I submitted it or how much time passed. So much for the famed iPod Killer. I think Digg is going through something similar with their podcast directory.

This seems like something they should do AFTER they buy Yahoo.

The Zune Podcast Marketplace has not been removed at all. If you actually install the new 2.5 Zune client and look you will see it. The only thing that changed was in our now older 2.3 client as it has the features areas populated with an Upgrade Your Software podcast message. The new 2.5 Zune client software has thge same full podcast directory and TV Shows now. It would really help if you actually looked at the new software before you posted this information as it drives misinformation online.

Rob Greenlee
Zune Podcast & Video Programming Lead

Hey, while we have your attention, how about you one-up Apple and open up your podcasting directory to a simple browser so we don't have to upgrade software to see it? Or even install software?

I'd apologize for misstating your software's capabilities but 1) I personally didn't and 2) I can't run it, so wouldn't know anyway.

I have to buy Windows to view the podcast directory?

Look, Rob Greenlee, many creative people are on Macs. If you want to take podcasting seriously, you should at least offer a Mac client, or open up your directory for all web browsers, as was suggested by Planet Retcon.

So forgive my ignorance, but since we get hits from Zune, does that mean we're in the directory, or is it simply that we've been added to someone's client-side software?

I don't own a Windows computer, don't have a Zune, or have access to the Zune Marketplace, so I can't check. However, we'd love to be listed! Creative's Zencast site has done good by us, so I imagine the Zune Marketplace could as well!


Eric

So if this isn't true, where did you hear this rumor?

Kind of reminds me of some of the iTunes or PodShow trash-talking that's gone on around here... No links, no references. Just accusations and rumors.

Eric

I did install the software and it's not there. There is no "Marketplace" on the menu.

I found out that Marketplace is disabled for non-US users, appearently because of a regional sales issue. What should have been done is to just disable the music feature but they disabled the podcast section as well. So if you're listed on Zune nobody outside the US (unless they've deliberately set their machine to US) will be able to see your podcast listings.

(You know it's this sort of elitist attitude that killed IBM.)

While I agree that it sucks, I don't think it's elitist. I think that the music industry (who provides the product that makes the Zune store profitable) requires it.

Now, why they can't have a podcast directory separate from their music directory is beyond me. I'm still waiting for my first post to be responded to before I say or ask anything new.

Ok, that makes sense. As Yotto said, this is nothing new. Apple has a similar issue with iTunes. I don't know if the Podcast directory is visible to people in countries where Apple can't sell music, but I do know that you can't submit your podcast to their directory.

Eric

In my opinion the Zune directory is completely screwed up. I have never been able to list my show and I have lots of other podcast friends who have not been able to get their shows listed as well. Clearly there is something wrong with it.

When I submitted to iTunes, it took all of 2 days for my listing to appear. Zune stated a while back that they got so many submissions all at once and it would take a few months to sort it all out. It's been way more than a few months, personally I have given up on Zune. I had high hopes for the service but something has gone very wrong with it.