It’s Official: Disney+ and Hulu Suffered Major Cancellations Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

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When large groups of people try to make a point by boycotting something, it can have a real impact. After comments were made about the death of Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was temporarily suspended. Even when the show was renewed, some media companies, like Nexstar and Sinclair, hinted they might replace it with other programs because of Kimmel’s statements. However, viewers responded as well, and we’re seeing that reflected in recent subscription numbers for services connected to Walt Disney.

Recent data from Antenna, a research firm specializing in the “Subscription Economy,” shows a significant increase in cancellations for two streaming services. Both services saw their monthly churn rates double from August to September – one jumped from 4% to 8%, and the other from 5% to 10%. This likely reflects the impact of a viewer boycott, which was sparked by concerns over the handling of a suspension and the brief pause of a late-night show.

While we can’t definitively say the rise in cancellations is because of the issues with Kimmel, it happened around the same time as the controversy began. Many people publicly supported Kimmel and called for boycotts of the streaming services. However, the recent price increases for subscriptions could also be a reason some people cancelled their plans.

The Disney+ and Hulu Churn Rates Tell an Interesting Story


ABC

Interestingly, data from Antenna shows that Disney+ and Hulu saw a rise in subscribers around the same time Jimmy Kimmel’s ratings went up after he returned to television. While Disney hasn’t shared official numbers about subscribers lost during Kimmel’s suspension, Antenna’s data is currently the best way to estimate how successful any boycott attempt might have been, especially considering Disney had already planned to raise prices.

The brief removal of Jimmy Kimmel and the strong public reaction, including a boycott, highlights how politics, entertainment, and what people think often come together. While it’s unclear if the boycott affected viewership numbers, it clearly showed viewers using their spending to express their opinions. Trying to influence large media companies might not have been pointless, especially considering Kimmel has returned to his show. This entire situation is a compelling example of how public opinion and strong reactions can actually change what happens in the media.

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2025-10-22 14:47