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That's a weird take. Some of the best streaming shows I watch are on Apple TV. I have really stated to regard them as the new HBO. They may not have an abundance of programming but the quality and production value for most of it is really very good.

AAA gaming is a big market, but it's a rounding error compared to streaming media. Apple made the right bet.
Highly agree. Apple TV is the new HBO and some of the best shows now are on Apple TV.
 
Considering the Actual Definition of First World was a country who supported the United States in the Cold War, and now it’s a country aligned with NATO, then I don’t see your point. China and the U.S. are a lot more alike than you are suggesting. If the Red team win, given yesterdays news, the the U.S. may technically become a third world country. 😂 It’s more accurate to call them both a socialist/capitalist country with a democratic Electoral system. The type of democracy is different however.



Jon Stewart is a political commentator, thus I always found it weird that Apple picked him up. I guess an experiment that ran its course. He should just do what he does best. I guess this was a way to get his serious voice across instead of having to rely on humour. It will be interesting to see which side he brings out. However humour seems the best way for the centre-left to relate to Fox's desperation.
He wasn’t let go because he is a political commentator. He was let go because he is a loud, divisive voice that often hides behind, “It’s only a joke.” Apple decided they didn’t want to contribute to polarization.
 
Highly agree. Apple TV is the new HBO and some of the best shows now are on Apple TV.

Tend to agree with that statement. The era of premium streaming content has ended. The streamers are at peak subscription and see no value in continuing to produce expensive shows. But Apple has the money and the motivation to continue making high end shows. They have a lot more to sell than subscriptions. Apple also clearly enjoys the prestige.

We’re swiftly headed back to the cable bundle era. I suspect Apple will have a strategy around that too.
 
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These people forget they are there to entertain the entire country.

No they aren’t. Shows have target audiences. Even the most watched shows like the Super Bowl aren’t aimed at everyone.

Guy like him always did it subversively,

I mean, yeah. That’s comedy if done right and I’d suggest that he was very good at it.

but nobody wants to see his bias on full display.

He’s not a news man. He isn’t a reporter. He’s a comedian. So yeah, people DO typically want to see his (as you rather leadingly call it) “bias” on full display since it’s at the core of his comedy.

Thats what you can do on a podcast,

Is it your contention that you can do anything on a podcast with zero repercussions? That isn’t accurate. And as time goes by and podcasts become more and more mainstream the idea that it’s the Wild West on the pods is fading out.

not a national broadcast without toning down the rhetoric.

Again, he’s a comedian. He isn’t a reporter. He isn’t a politician. If you or anyone else is getting news from him you’re doing it wrong. He may inspire you to learn more about the topics he discusses but he is not an end source for news or information. He deals in pure opinion.
 
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Stewart basically confirmed the rumors that Apple told him not to talk about certain topics. He opened TDS with "maybe we'll do topics like China, or maybe AI, or something light like Israel-Palestine".
Oh man my teeth are hurting from clamping my mouth shut. But I think the opinion of some folks earlier in the thread was right: Jon Stewart started out pretty rebellious but started lobbing softballs at political guests while he was still on Comedy Central. I’m not holding my breath that he’s rediscovered his naughty side.

As for the assumption that his contract explicitly stated “don’t badmouth AI or China,” I think it’s possible, but maybe a stretch. If it was in his contract, then clearly he decided to move on, and suggesting the next show would be on China was a way of pulling the trigger. If it wasn’t in his contract, well, he learned something and so did we about what kinds of speech Apple allows.
 
Apple doesn't have the appetite for a show that is going to inherently cause controversy and step on their considerable interests in China, most especially.

Frankly I'm surprised they tolerate cursing and sexual content on their other TV shows... might offend someone.
Everybody is always referring to China and the horror of Apple doing business there. But what’s the right move you expect Apple to take there? Withdraw?

Both US and EU companies did that in Russia after the invasion in Ukraine. What good did that do? Did they hurt Russia or themselves?

There are a million reasons not to do business in China. And many many other countries for that matter. But is it really up to a company to change a country?
 
Everybody is always referring to China and the horror of Apple doing business there. But what’s the right move you expect Apple to take there? Withdraw?

Except for the drive to increase sales there’s no reason for Apple to sell product there. Labor is another matter. China has been the only country with the capacity to produce the products Apple designs (with low labor costs) but that’s slowly changing.

Both US and EU companies did that in Russia after the invasion in Ukraine. What good did that do? Did they hurt Russia or themselves?

Well, since you aren’t in Russia I’d wager you don’t really know what the impact was on the Russian people.

There are a million reasons not to do business in China. And many many other countries for that matter. But is it really up to a company to change a country?
Yes. A company has a responsibility to do ethical and responsible business.
 
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Even if true, it's odd that Jon Stewart is only complaining about it now.

Odd that Jon Stewart is complaining about it the day before he returns to the Daily Show?

Self-promotion, plain and simple! I don't find it odd to to so now at all. It's like a bathtub curve... not odd right after, and not odd right before you want some free publicity and attention. Would have been odd if he complained a few weeks ago, maybe.
 
Everybody is always referring to China and the horror of Apple doing business there. But what’s the right move you expect Apple to take there? Withdraw?

Both US and EU companies did that in Russia after the invasion in Ukraine. What good did that do? Did they hurt Russia or themselves?

There are a million reasons not to do business in China. And many many other countries for that matter. But is it really up to a company to change a country?


Maybe quit being fake


Pretending they care about people when their devices are made by near slave labor in factories that have friggin suicide nets



Saying they care about the environment and having their stuff made in the worst polluting country on earth



Etc etc


Have them at least made in a ….happier 3rd world country
 
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Maybe quit being fake

Pretending they care about people when their devices are made by near slave labor in factories that have friggin suicide nets

Saying they care about the environment and having their stuff made in the worst polluting country on earth

Etc etc

Have them at least made in a ….happier 3rd world country

So it’s safe to say you won’t be buying any more Apple products?
 
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Exactly. And I’d note that even the public square has limitations. You can’t shout about non-existent fires in crowded rooms. You can’t slander and liable people. There are a range of things we as a society disallow as a matter of sheer practicality. There is no such thing as 100% free speech in a public context. Go ahead and say whatever insane, offensive and idiotic thing you want to say behind closed doors but don’t expect to be welcome to do the same in public or on the Internet.
I am not talking about being polite and having manners while stating facts. I specifically said free speech when we are talking about politics. Some people can’t handle facts and start putting up labels. You know who I am referring to. People on the "other side" even when stating facts in a respectful way they would get a moderator warning for being blah blah blah etc.
 
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