Disney+ and Hulu Cancellations Double Amid ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Suspension Drama

Disney and Hulu subscribers saw a spike in cancellations recently after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. Fans were upset and called for a boycott of Disney, resulting in millions of cancellations on both Disney+ and Hulu, according to a report from Variety.

In September, the cancellation rate for Disney+ in the U.S. doubled to 8 percent, up from 4 percent in July and August. Similarly, Hulu also experienced a doubling of cancellations, with a rate of 10 percent in September compared to previous months, as reported by research firm Antenna.

Despite the cancellations, both Disney+ and Hulu saw an increase in new sign-ups in September. Disney+ gained 2.18 million new subscribers, while Hulu added 2.11 million new subscribers during that month.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was temporarily taken off the air due to comments deemed insensitive by the host, leading to the controversial suspension. Although ABC later reinstated the show, the drama surrounding the suspension along with a price increase in streaming plans from Disney+ may have contributed to the higher cancellation rates.

It’s worth noting that Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to record-breaking ratings on September 23, despite some station owners refusing to air the episode. The suspension fallout appears to have had a significant impact on Disney and Hulu subscriptions, showing the influence of audience reactions in the streaming entertainment world.