Disney+ Churn Rate Doubles After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
Disney+ and Hulu experienced a significant increase in cancellations in September, following the brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC.
According to Antenna, Disney+ recorded around 3 million cancellations, with its US monthly churn rate rising from 4% in August to 8% in September. Hulu saw approximately 4.1 million cancellations, with churn increasing from 5% to 10%.
- Disney+: 3 million cancellations, 8% churn rate in September
- Hulu: 4.1 million cancellations, 10% churn rate in September
Coverage has linked the spike to the mid-September suspension of the late night talk show host that led to social media calls to boycott Disney’s streaming services.
Despite the increase in churn, Antenna tracked higher new sign-ups for both Disney+ (2.2 million) and Hulu (2.1 million), suggesting the impact was partly offset by gross additions. Price rises across Disney’s streaming portfolio may have also influenced behavior during this period.
Author's summary: Disney+ and Hulu saw a sharp spike in cancellations after Jimmy Kimmel's brief suspension.