iTunes Freebies: "Extras"

So why is it that TV shows are now starting to show up as podcasts rather than in the iTunes store? Today the first episode of Season 2 of Extras became available through iTunes--but it's a podcast. Something similar happened the other day with the PBS science pilots, also available as podcasts. So what's the deal?

Normally, we've been expecting audio blogs, interviews and behind-the-scenes looks in the podcast section and pay-for-episodes in the store. So why is it that entire episodes are now starting to appear in podcastland? Is it just licensing terms? Or is it that this works internationally? Or is it that this way vendors don't have to pre-buy a million episodes at once like ABC did a few months ago? If you have some insight into this new trend (assuming it is a trend), let us know in the comments.

Extras (Season 2 Premiere)
What happens when an unknown actor who can't catch a break actually catches one? Now with HBO Podcast, you can catch the first episode of the new season in its entirety! Plus go behind the scenes and watch an interview with Ricky Gervais! Catch the brand new season, Sunday at 10 pm/9c.

Thanks Fray.

Update: More point-by-point discussion about this trend here.