Kimmel Suspension Spurred 1.7M Disney Cancellations

ABC briefly suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! after his Sept. 15 remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, then reinstated the show within about a week following pushback and petitions. Some affiliates, including Nexstar and Sinclair, initially blacked out the program but later restored it. Reports sourced to social platforms say roughly 1.7 million Disney+, Hulu and ESPN subscriptions were canceled in the Sept. 17–23 window amid the controversy and a recent price increase, though Disney has not confirmed the figure. Those reports and search trends prompted estimates that Disney may have lost millions in monthly streaming revenue. Kimmel returned with lengthy, high-rated monologues that at times attacked President Trump using profanity and mocked Vice President J.D. Vance after Vance suggested the temporary removal was about low ratings. The dispute became both a ratings event and a political flashpoint, drawing support from late-night peers and wide pop-culture coverage.