Disney+ Faces Surge in Cancellations Following Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
Disney+ and Hulu experienced a sharp rise in subscription cancellations in September, following the temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, new data shows.
According to analytics firm Antenna, Disney+’s churn rate – the percentage of users who cancel their subscriptions – spiked from an average of 4% to 8%, representing roughly three million cancellations. Hulu’s rate also surged to 10%, translating to more than four million subscribers leaving the platform.
The surge followed Disney’s decision on September 17 to suspend Kimmel after remarks he made about the shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk. During an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the host criticized what he called attempts by the “MAGA gang” to “characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
The move came after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr warned ABC, which airs Kimmel’s show, that its broadcast license could be reviewed.
The suspension triggered a wave of backlash across Hollywood and beyond. Writers’ and actors’ unions, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), condemned the action as a violation of free speech. Protests were also held in California, with many calling for a boycott of Disney’s streaming services.
In response to mounting criticism, ABC reinstated Kimmel within a week. Hundreds of celebrities and entertainment figures had publicly signed letters of support for the comedian.
The data released by Antenna this week suggests that Disney’s brief suspension of Kimmel may have had a measurable financial impact, as Netflix’s churn rate remained steady at 2% during the same period.
However, it remains unclear whether the spike in cancellations was solely driven by the Kimmel controversy. The timing coincided with Disney’s pre-announced subscription price hikes, part of an ongoing effort to boost profits from its streaming operations.
Despite the churn, both Disney+ and Hulu recorded a modest increase in new sign-ups during September, slightly offsetting the losses.
Disney declined to comment, while Hulu has yet to issue a response.
