In the meantime, Michael Wolff was already running around waving the almost-scalp. And surely Meacham knew the backlash was coming.
So the Daily Show interview was Meacham’s opportunity to frame the magazine, the sale, the media landscape and his tenure in the most positive way possible, aided by a host friendly to the magazine, the mission and the man.
Lucky break for Meacham – because that’s exactly what he did.
Meacham was originally scheduled on the show to promote his new PBS public affairs show, Need To Know (timing is everything!). But last night, he was handed a platform to sell Newsweek as an essential public good in a dangerously narrowing market.
“We live in an era
Meacham had only praise for his publisher, Don Graham, saying that the sale of Newsweek was “a rational economic decision.”
Stewart, an exceptionally friendly interviewer, did call Meacham on his blaming of the media economy, asking (in the uncut interview online), “Why does Time get to live?” Meacham, who made a point of saying “I admire Time magazine,” noted that Time is “part of a larger magazine company,” and further noted the many economies of
Meacham acknowledged, however, that the current formulation of Newsweek wasn’t working — and looked to a digital future, saying “we’ve had it backwards.”
“Taking 77 years, the emphasis has been on the print. It’s probably time to flip that – in which you’re solely focused on the digital, and by the end of the week, you take the best stuff [for] people who want to hold a magazine in their hands,” said Meacham.
Meacham also noted that the Newsweek reader was desirable to advertisers, with affluent, educated readers from “the virtual Beltway” wanting to be engaged on political and breaking-news issues. For advertisers, he said, “this is an audience you want to reach. And that’s two-thirds or more of the revenue.”
Upshot: Meacham covered all the bases. The changing media landscape, Newsweek‘s essential mission, it’s affluent and influential core readership, and an intention to adapt for the future. The last selling point that he couldn’t reel off – but was apparent in the interview – was Meacham himself. Although the day-after detractors lay much of the blame at Meacham’s door for emphasis on his own interests (political history, religion) and for being “absentee&
Meacham must now be on a full-on charm offensive — which is another reason his Daily Show appearance was so well-timed. He was able to showcase his nerdy, facty side as well as his quick-witted side. Example: Stewart: “You’re like a personal Wikipedia.” Meacham: “Which is gonna be good, ’cause I’m looking for work.” It will all be part of the package, because like Newsweek, Meacham himself is now on sale. Which, of course, he knows — and which is why he closed thusly:
“The good news is, we did not close today, we went up for sale – and I’ll be over in the
Watch the full interview below.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
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| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
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