Re:“This story is being previewed exclusively on Apple News ...
by qubex on Monday September 21, 2015 @11:22AM
(#10252883)
The point that is being made is that by cutting off a fraction of mobile ad revenue by allowing blockers, Apple might be seen to be cynically herding content providers towards its walled-garden platform wherein iAd is the exclusive provider of adverts, which cannot be blocked. Whether this is the true intention of their strategy or merely a coincidence is a matter of some (understandably contentious) debate.
That said, I imagine you're right and Apple just paid for the exclusive for marketing purposes.