Disney suffers massive subscriber loss after Jimmy Kimmel suspension
- Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show on September 17, 2025, prompting significant viewer backlash.
- The company experienced an estimated loss of 1.7 million subscribers across its streaming services during the suspension period.
- The situation underscored the consequences of celebrity controversies on corporate subscriber retention.
In the United States, the entertainment giant Disney faced severe repercussions following the suspension of ABC late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel on September 17, 2025. This move came after Kimmel made inappropriate comments regarding the assassination of influential conservative speaker Charlie Kirk. Following public backlash and a significant viewer exodus, Disney reinstated Kimmel's show on September 22, just five days after the suspension. During the period when the show was off air, approximately 1.7 million subscribers reportedly canceled their subscriptions across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN, reflecting a staggering 436 percent increase in the usual churn rate. This incident presented a perfect storm involving Kimmel's suspension, public dissatisfaction, and Disney's concurrent decision to increase subscription fees, heightening viewer discontent. Despite the show's return, the blow to its subscriber base indicated that many viewers were discouraged by the company's actions, leading to concerns about long-term effects on Disney's streaming services and financial viability. This situation raises critical questions regarding how public figures' controversies can directly impact corporate performance and the importance of swift, thoughtful responses to public backlash.