Apple reportedly cancels Jon Stewart’s Apple TV+ show

Apple and Stewart have parted ways, cancelling The Problem With Jon Stewart weeks before it was scheduled to begin taping its third season, reports the New York Times. Creative differences are said to be at the heart of the dispute.

More specifically, Stewart and Apple apparently disagreed about some of the show’s topics and guests for the upcoming season, specifically topics related to China and artificial intelligence. The paper also says the upcoming 2024 election presented the potential for additional disagreements.

The Problem, which was Stewart’s first regular television appearance in six years after a 16-year run at his Comedy Central topical humor show, has never shied away from controversial topics. It has already tackled issues including gender identity and gun control, with many episodes going viral. The most recent season was nominated for an Emmy in the outstanding talk series category.

Stewart’s outspoken style on political matters made him a star on The Daily Show, even drawing comparisons between him and the trusted newsmen of old, such as Walter Cronkite (a label Stewart has always dismissed). Since leaving Comedy Central, he has become more of a news pundit than a comedian, often holding press conferences in Washington, D.C., on matters including 9/11 first responders and health benefits for veterans.  Last year, Stewart was the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in humor.

Apple’s streaming service has been growing steadily since its launch in 2019. The company has successfully launched several critically acclaimed and fan-favorite shows, including Ted Lasso and The Morning Show. And it arguably won the biggest victory in the sports streaming wars with its $2.5 billion MLS deal after Lionel Messi jumped to Inter Miami. As of September, Apple TV+ reportedly had just shy of 20 million subscribers.