A brief blackout is like tapping the media on the shoulder.
"We'll be all, like, SOPA what? ... uh ... I have some reading to catch up on."
Nobody thinks about dial tone until it's not there.
He's in entertainment, he comments endlessly about policy. You think he somehow missed the #1 policy initiative of his employer?
He is very well paid, with a large budget that employs a lot of people. But I don't think his show breaks even on its revenues, it is a tent-pole for his channel. He's paid not for his own audience but the larger strategic benefit he brings to his employer. So think on what might happen if he starts to pose still larger strategic problems for that employer? And what happens to Mr. Stewart should he want to move on from his current perch? [EDIT: As suggested below, the 'strategic benefit' payment is speculation. Probably a mistake to go there, b/c I think my point still stands: if he hurts a major legislative initiative of his industry, his life gets a lot harder and riskier.]
And while he himself seems reasonably secure, he has a staff of writers and producers, many of whom would like to move on to bigger and better things. Who will be greenlighting those various ventures?
Remember, Hollywood blacklisted people for (alleged) Communism. Those people lost their whole careers. Imagine what might happen to those who challenge the studios' interests still more directly.
I'd say this is the perfect moment for Mr. Stewart's reputed bravery, independence and courage.
I don't it's speculative to say networks will lose money on some product to build audience. Stuff like the NFL, Letterman?, that sort of thing.
Even if he's making them money directly, he's not untouchable if he gets blamed for hurting a major political priority.
They probably wouldn't be so clumsy as to just fire him -- but his next negotiation could get a lot harder, and he'd be a lot more exposed to "business decisions" should his ratings stumble. And his people could find it a lot hard to move on and up with other projects.
that last part just sounds like a threat from the other side, you know?
Zero industry connection, nada. Formerly in finance (not covering media), now freelance and building my own business.
Anyone peronally worried about my post can find my email in profile -- send me a phone number, I'll call you.
EDIT: Wasn't me. Downvotes never make sense to me. Downvote me for _admitting_ I said something speculative? With all the crazy guesses posited as Gospel truth here?
I really think it's a simple as that.
Most of his material comes from picking up on hypocrisy by politicians when they make essential compromises in their head for money.
The establishment is afraid of the internet, they want to place restrictions on it. Stewart may well agree with them.
Jon will never go against the money.