Disney+ and Hulu Subscriptions Decline Following Kimmel Suspension

Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions took a hit recently following the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, the popular late-night host. According to data from Antenna, over 7 million cancellations were reported, nearly double the usual churn rate for the streaming services. This spike in cancellations came after Kimmel’s suspension by ABC, which caused quite a stir among viewers.

Although Disney declined to comment on the issue, the suspension came after Kimmel made controversial remarks about conservatives and President Trump, leading to his temporary removal from the air. The decision to suspend Kimmel was met with criticism from many, including notable figures in the media industry like Howard Stern, who called for customers to cancel their subscriptions in protest.

Following the suspension, local station providers like Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair dropped Kimmel’s show temporarily, but later reinstated it once he was brought back by Disney. It’s worth noting that while Antenna reported high cancellation figures, an inside source at Disney shared that the numbers internally were slightly different and did not include wholesale business numbers.

Despite the setback, Disney remains a major player in the streaming industry, with significant investments in streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu. As more consumers move away from traditional cable services, streaming entertainment has become increasingly popular, driving companies like Disney to focus on providing top-tier content for its subscribers.