Disney+ Subscriber Numbers Dip Following Jimmy Kimmel Live Suspension
LOS ANGELES, CA – Disney+ experienced a meaningful drop in subscribers in September, losing nearly 3 million customers following a six-day suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live, according to data analyzed by entertainment Weekly. The suspension, enacted by Disney-owned ABC, came after pressure from the Trump management and preemptions by affiliate groups Nexstar and Sinclair, stemming from a monologue delivered by Kimmel on September 15.
Kimmel’s comments concerned Tyler Robinson,identified as the alleged shooter in a September 10 incident involving Charlie Kirk. Kimmel stated, ”We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.” This drew immediate criticism from conservative figures.
While the suspension and subsequent controversy are believed to be a major factor in the subscriber decline, Disney also implemented price hikes across its streaming plans and bundles in September, effective October.
Despite the overall loss, September also saw an increase in new subscribers. Disney+ gained 1.99 million subscribers in august,rising to 2.18 million in September. Hulu also experienced growth, increasing from 1.97 million to 2.11 million subscribers over the same period.
Notably, Jimmy Kimmel Live‘s return to air on September 23 achieved its highest viewership in a decade, with 6.2 million viewers tuning in – four times the show’s average prior to the suspension and the largest audience for a regularly scheduled episode as march 12, 2015.
