Over 1.7M users cancelled Disney+, Hulu and ESPN subscriptions following Jimmy Kimmel suspension

Core Insights - Disney experienced a significant loss of over 1.7 million paid subscribers across its streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN, following the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, marking a 436% increase in subscriber churn compared to the baseline [1][11]. Subscriber Impact - The cancellations occurred over a six-day period from September 17 to September 23, coinciding with the controversy surrounding Kimmel's comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk [1][2]. - Social media users shared screenshots of their subscription cancellations, indicating a strong public reaction to Disney's decision [2]. Kimmel's Suspension and Backlash - Kimmel's suspension led to accusations of government-imposed censorship from Hollywood creatives, labor unions, and media figures [6]. - Following the backlash, Disney reached an agreement to reinstate Kimmel, although Sinclair and Nexstar initially refused to air the show, affecting its availability to a significant portion of the audience [6][7]. Viewership Trends - Kimmel's return to the airwaves initially garnered record ratings, with 6.5 million viewers for the first episode, but viewership dropped significantly to 2.3 million by the following Thursday, representing a 64% decline [8]. - The show also saw a drastic decrease in key demographics, losing 73% of viewers aged 25-54 and 18-49 within 48 hours of its return [10]. Pricing Changes - Concurrently, Disney announced upcoming price increases for its streaming services, with the Disney+/Hulu bundle rising from $11 to $13, and Disney+ Premium increasing from $16 to $19 [12]. - The ad-supported Disney+ plan will increase from $10 to $12, while Hulu + Live TV with ads will see the largest jump from $83 to $90 [13].