Apple TV Plus’ flagship current affairs show, “The Problem With Jon Stewart,” has been abruptly canceled after two seasons. According to sources, the reason for the cancellation is a conflict between Stewart’s plans to cover China and AI and Apple’s financial interests in China as well as their heavy investments in AI.
The New York Times reports that “people with knowledge of the decision” state that creative differences between Stewart and Apple executives regarding certain topics and guests led to the parting of ways. Apple executives were specifically concerned about potential coverage of China, AI, and the 2024 presidential election.
Apple has not yet commented on the situation, and confirmation is being sought. This is not the first time Apple has reportedly canceled shows due to management concerns. In 2020, Tim Cook intervened to stop the production of a planned TV show based on Gawker, the website that disclosed Cook’s sexual orientation without his consent. Additionally, a Dr Dre TV show, “Vital Signs,” was reportedly canceled in 2018 due to its content not aligning with Apple’s standards.
The problem faced by Stewart and his team is clear. Journalism should speak truth to power, but when that power is funding the journalism, certain truths may become unwelcome. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Apple approached Stewart before canceling the show and emphasized the need for alignment with Apple’s views. Stewart refused to conform and opted to cancel the show instead.
It is important to note that Apple TV Plus is an entertainment network, not a journalism enterprise. Apple has a history of making changes based on commercial interests and seems particularly uneasy about criticism of China. The company has made various alterations to protect its status in China, such as shuttering its News app in 2015 and adjusting AirDrop settings following protests in Beijing in 2022.
Apple has always been cautious about content across its platforms, including TV, books, songs, podcasts, and apps. While the company presents itself as taking the moral high ground, compromises are inevitable when striving to become the world’s biggest tech company. When a tech giant funds a current affairs show, compromises are expected.
This situation reflects a broader issue: who finances the news we need? Journalism that is accurate, ethical, and investigative cannot rely solely on advertisements. When companies or billionaires with their own interests fund journalism, questions about neutrality arise. The ongoing crisis in news media is precisely the type of issue that Stewart’s show used to address.
In conclusion, the cancellation of “The Problem With Jon Stewart” highlights the challenges faced by journalism in an era where funding sources and corporate interests often dictate the narrative.
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