Apple TV+’s show “The Problem,” hosted Jon Stewart, has come to an end due to editorial disputes, as reported The New York Times. Sources have revealed that Apple executives expressed concerns about the show’s topics, particularly regarding China and AI.
According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, Stewart and the tech giant have reportedly parted ways after disagreements over the editorial direction of the show. Season three of “The Problem With Jon Stewart” was set to begin filming in a few weeks.
The report states that Apple executives were specifically worried about potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence. These concerns also extended to certain guests expected to appear on the show. Additionally, the upcoming 2024 presidential election might have contributed to further editorial disagreements.
Stewart insisted on having full creative autonomy over his series, while Apple insisted on alignment with the company on the topics he chooses to discuss. Eventually, both parties agreed to separate.
Apple and Jon Stewart’s agent, Rich Klubeck, did not respond to Insider’s request for comment.
The decision to end Stewart’s show on Apple TV+ may align with Apple’s strategy to maintain its relationship with China, which is the company’s third-largest market. Stewart’s open discussions on hotly contested political topics like the war over gender, America’s incarceration epidemic, and the military-industrial complex may have been viewed as a potential threat to Apple’s Chinese market.
Stewart has previously discussed geopolitical tensions between the US and China, as well as the US auto manufacturing industry’s move to China in search of cheap labor and looser business regulations. In 2021, he appeared on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” and expressed support for the theory that COVID-19 originated from a lab in Wuhan, China.
The decision to part ways with Stewart comes after Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that Apple’s services business achieved record-breaking revenue in China. In 2016, Cook reportedly struck a secret $275 billion deal with China, allowing Apple to navigate the country’s strict regulatory challenges.
In 2019, it was reported that Apple instructed show developers to avoid portraying China negatively in their shows as a means of protecting its relationship with the country.
Recently, Tim Cook made a surprise visit to China, where he met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing and attended a gaming tournament at an Apple store in Chengdu. This visit occurred amid reports of slower initial sales for the iPhone 15 compared to its predecessor in China.
With the conclusion of “The Problem,” Apple TV+ must now navigate the challenges of maintaining relationships and addressing potential controversies as it seeks to attract and retain viewers in a highly competitive streaming landscape.