LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disney+ experienced a notable spike in subscription cancellations last month, coinciding with the brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC, according to new analytics. The surge represents one of the largest short-term churn increases in the platform’s history.
Data released Monday by subscription analytics firm Antenna shows Disney+’s monthly churn rate—the percentage of users canceling subscriptions—jumped from 4% in August to 8% in September. Hulu also saw a similar increase, climbing from 5% to 10%. Antenna described such a sudden doubling as “highly unusual” in an industry where churn typically remains steady.
Stable Growth Interrupted
Through 2025, Disney+ maintained a consistent churn rate of 3–4%, second only to Netflix, which continues to hold a low monthly churn of around 2%. Hulu’s churn generally ranged between 4–5%, while Peacock averaged 6–8%, Paramount+ 5–7%, and HBO Max 6–9%. The September surge marks a sharp departure from Disney+’s otherwise stable retention.
The Kimmel Controversy
The cancellation spike followed Kimmel’s temporary suspension from Jimmy Kimmel Live! after his September 15 episode included a controversial remark referencing “Charlie Kirk’s assassin.” The comment, seen by many as politically charged, went viral online and sparked widespread criticism. ABC suspended Kimmel but reinstated him within a week.
Protests and Public Reaction
Despite the brief suspension, the backlash quickly spread across social media, with thousands urging cancellations of Disney+ subscriptions in protest. Howard Stern, Kimmel’s friend and SiriusXM radio host, announced on air that he had canceled his Disney+ account in solidarity. Analysts suggest this coordinated response likely influenced the platform’s September churn.
Antenna’s report noted, “The timing of the cancellations aligns closely with the Kimmel controversy, though direct causation is impossible to determine.”
Financial Impact Unclear
While the data highlights the immediate effect on subscriptions, Disney’s financial exposure remains uncertain. Billing cycles may delay the appearance of some cancellations in reports, and the company has stated it will no longer disclose subscriber totals in future financial statements. Analysts estimate the September churn could reflect a temporary loss of roughly 3 million subscribers, illustrating the rapid influence of social media-driven backlash on even the largest entertainment platforms.
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