First of all a question: I have a 5$ subscription and would be happy to increase that, but not to 10. Is something like a 7 or 8$ subscription possible? I guess that adding a 2$ one to my old one doesn't really make sense.
OK, now about the Metacast. I generally like the presentation, the different voice, and it's awesome that you even include a flash piece. There's one point that seriously bugs me though. You say you are in big trouble and might close down by the end of 2013. I pray you don't and I am glad that people are stepping in to generously donate. I will try to do my part as well. But if the situation is so dire, why do you tell us about expanding your business, by buying famous pieces or paying the readers? On the one hand, I can understand this. You want to show us perspectives and what great plans you have. If you continue. But let me play something like the devil's advocate. I hope this never comes true, but if this call for subscriptions doesn't generate the income you need, why not... collapse Escape Artists into less than three podcasts. I was thinking about it on my way to work this morning - I am listening to old Escape Pod episodes and Escape Artists has certainly grown from there. Today, there is Pseudopod and PodCastle as well. If it doesn't work out, why not go back to just Escape Pod? Yes, it would make me sad. It'd be one short story a week and not three. It might mean rotating introductions, and not a weekly fix of Alisdair and Dave. It would still be better than nothing.
Ok, with that being said, I might have some spare money on my paypal account that needs to go. (this consideration is totally independent of how anyone answers to my considerations above, of course)