Lawmakers Seek Explanation From Apple for Cancellation of Jon Stewart Show
A bipartisan House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook seeking an explanation for the recent cancellation of Jon Stewart’s show, “The Problem with Jon Stewart,” which was streamed on Apple TV+. The committee raised concerns that the decision to cancel Stewart’s show was motivated censorship, possibly to protect Apple’s interests in the Chinese market.
Reports surfaced last month that Stewart’s show on AppleTV+ was canceled due to creative differences. It was later revealed that Stewart wanted full creative control over the show’s topics, but Apple executives were wary of content related to China and AI. As a result, both parties agreed to part ways.
The House committee requested Apple to provide a briefing December 15, addressing the potential influence of the Chinese Communist Party over American artists and companies. They also expressed their intention to speak to representatives for Stewart.
In addition, committee members urged Apple to publicly commit to allowing content critical of the CCP and China on its streaming platform and other services. They emphasized the negative impact of Chinese censorship on the American creative industry and questioned the influence of a foreign power on content determinations.
Apple’s significant dependence on the Chinese market was highlighted, with almost a fifth of the company’s revenues coming from China and the majority of its devices being manufactured in the country. Amid escalating tensions between China and the US, the committee called for Apple to reduce its reliance on China.
The House committee, established in January to address the threats posed China to the US, acknowledged the allure of the Chinese market while asserting that Beijing’s retaliation towards American companies that criticized China did not align with US values.
Apple has not yet responded to the request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.