Disney+ and Hulu See Surge in Cancellations Post-Kimmel Suspension
Disney+ and Hulu experienced a dramatic spike in subscription cancellations—doubling within 72 hours—after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel. Internal Disney data and third-party analysts (Antenna, Parrot Analytics) confirmed the surge, coinciding with #BoycottDisney trending globally on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Why Was Jimmy Kimmel Suspended?
ABC, owned by Disney, temporarily pulled Kimmel off air following a controversial monologue critics called “insensitive.” Clips of the segment, which allegedly mocked a political/social group, went viral, sparking outrage. Disney’s decision to suspend Kimmel without an on-air apology angered both supporters (calling it censorship) and critics (demanding stronger action).
How Subscribers Reacted
- Cancellations soared: U.S. unsubscriptions for Disney+ and Hulu rose 100% week-over-week.
- Global impact: Disney+ Hotstar (India) and UK Hulu saw higher churn, with Indian IPL fans threatening to switch to JioCinema.
- Social media backlash: Users posted cancellation confirmations with hashtags like #NoMoreDisney and #BringBackKimmel.
Disney’s Silent Strategy – Will It Backfire?
Disney has not publicly addressed the cancellations but is reportedly considering:
– Reinstating Kimmel early to appease fans.
– Editing reruns to remove controversial content (fueling further speculation).
This mirrors past Disney+ subscriber losses (e.g., post-price hike), but analysts note the Kimmel controversy is riskier due to its ties to culture-war divisions.
Streaming Wars: Consumers Flex Their Power
The boycott highlights a trend of viewers using subscriptions as activism tools, seen in:
– Netflix’s Dave Chappelle backlash.
– HBO Max’s content removals for tax write-offs.
As Disney weighs its next move, the incident proves audiences now hold unprecedented influence over media giants.
