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ISPs will degrade the requests of their customers if the requested service doesn't pay a toll (see Netflix for an example). Apple has agreed to pay many major ISPs so that Apple's bits don't get stuck in the slow lane. It's pretty shameful that this is required, but that's how it is these days.

Don't spread bullshit.

Can you clarify? The GP seems to accurately describe the current regulatory scheme.

Are the deals meant to ensure the shortest trajectory to their CDN network?

Yes, more or less. Traffic can flow Apple->some backbone->Comcast or Apple->Comcast. The latter path is less congested.

It can even mean that Apple has hardware in the ISP's POP, so there are no hops between the ISP and Apple's hardware -- a direct connection, if you will.