Disney+ Suffers Nearly 3 Million Subscriber Loss After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
In a stunning turn of events, Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+, saw a massive drop — nearly 3 million U.S. subscribers cancelled in September 2025 after Jimmy Kimmel’s show was briefly pulled off the air. The move followed controversial comments on his programme and a backlash that hit Disney’s bottom line hard. For a company already navigating streaming turbulence, it was a dramatic moment — similar in impact to when South African streaming service Showmax lost traction after a major hosting controversy.
In mid-September 2025, the landscape for streaming services shifted under Disney’s roof. After Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show on ABC was suspended in response to controversial remarks, the ripple effects extended far beyond his studio. According to data from subscription-analytics firm Antenna, Disney+ cancelled about 3 million U.S. users in September alone — a sharp climb from the usual monthly churn.
The cancellation rate for Disney+ jumped to around 8% in September, up from about 4% just a month before. Similar patterns were seen at Hulu, another Disney-owned platform, where churn doubled too.
What sparked this exit wave? It began when Jimmy Kimmel made comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death that drew heavy criticism. ABC-owned by Disney-suspended the show on September 17, later reinstating it on the 23rd. The host’s return episode smashed ratings records with over 6 million viewers, yet the damage to subscriptions had been done.
Alongside the suspension, Disney announced an upcoming price hike for its streaming bundles — which some analysts say added fuel to the fire. The convergence of political backlash, brand-risk concerns and rising costs created a perfect storm.
For Nigerian and African viewers and streaming stakeholders, the incident offers a cautionary tale. Just as when a local broadcaster’s decision triggered a boycott and subscriber losses (for instance, when Multichoice’s controversial channel shuffle in 2023 led to thousands of cancellations), it shows how quickly brand-loyalty can fracture when trust is breached.
Disney’s situation illustrates the high stakes in the streaming game: content decisions, host behaviour, costs and values all interplay. One misstep can lead to millions of lost users — and the corporate warning signs now flash bright.