Niche creators can always leave the algorithms behind and work out ad deals on their own. Podcasting is an area where this is how it has always worked, and will

Niche creators can always leave the algorithms behind and work out ad deals on their own. Podcasting is an area where this is how it has always worked, and will continue to work. Also, I think you need to change your perspective. Ads allowed these niche channels to exist, but these niche channels might not be providing value to the ad networks proportional to their cost. In essence: they're riding the gravy train. They're an inefficiency in the system. They should work toward becoming valuable, or they should seek alternative forms of funding. Maybe people like you just need to be more open to the value-for-value model. If you like what they are doing, pay them for it. If you watch an ad on their show but don't interact or otherwise act on it, you're part of the problem. Its like complaining about traffic while you're in your car on the freeway.