Internet Furious as Disney Make Controversial Change to Disney+ Amid Kimmel Scandal
Disney is once again adjusting the cost of its streaming platform, Disney+, just as controversy swirls around the company’s handling of Jimmy Kimmel’s temporary removal from ABC.
The Walt Disney Company confirmed that Disney+ will undergo price hikes beginning October 21, 2025. This marks the fourth straight year of increases for subscribers, affecting both ad-supported and ad-free tiers, along with its annual plan and bundles with Hulu and ESPN+.
The new breakdown raises the ad-supported plan by $2, setting it at $11.99 per month, while the ad-free version will jump $3 to $18.99 per month. Annual subscribers will see a $30 increase, totaling $189.99 for the year. Disney’s bundle deals, including Hulu and ESPN+, will also climb significantly.
Since 2022, Disney has steadily increased streaming prices, even as the company’s direct-to-consumer division only recently turned a profit. Executives have consistently pointed out that Disney+ remains priced below the value of its expansive catalog, which spans Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic, and original programming.
But the timing is sparking debate. The announcement comes just after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in response to the host’s remarks on the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension prompted strong backlash online, with celebrities and other groups calling for boycotts of Disney’s streaming platforms. Reports indicate Disney may have reinstated Kimmel sooner than planned to minimize potential subscriber losses ahead of the price increase.
That overlap hasn’t gone unnoticed. Social media users drew a line between Kimmel’s reinstatement and the Disney+ hikes. Brian T. (@briantong) posted on X:
“So Disney cancels Kimmel, then loses approximately $4B, and is now bringing him back. (because money)
Starting October 21st they will also be INCREASING the price of their Disney+ Plus subscription bundles.
There is no better time to cancel than NOW!”
Another user, @itsthejody, added:
“Cancelled my @DisneyPlus No Ads and @hulu No Ads subscriptions because of what they did to Jimmy Kimmel.
Keeping them canceled because they also announced yesterday they’re raising prices by $3. Almost 73% increase year over year, 24% rate of inflation.
#Disney #Hulu #BYE”
David T. (@1stonestruck) joined in with:
“It really doesn’t make sense for #Disney to INCREASE subscription PRICES AFTER LOSING so many subscribers!!
I HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO RE-SUBSCRIBE AFTER the ABC/Jimmy Kimmel DEBACLE!!
CEO Iger shouldn’t have INITIALLY CAVED to
T R U M P’s egregious EXTORTION DEMANDS!!
#SueTrump”
Beyond online chatter, affiliates are responding as well. Initially, some ABC stations, including outlets owned by Sinclair and Nexstar, chose not to air Kimmel’s return episodes, opting for alternate programming. In a recent development, Sinclair said it would return the show to air. Viewers, meanwhile, are openly canceling subscriptions to Disney+, citing both the handling of Kimmel and the price hikes.
When Kimmel returned Tuesday night, he addressed the situation in his opening monologue, adding a lighthearted jab about reactivating Disney+ accounts.
Analysts note that Disney’s strategy mirrors rivals like Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max, and Paramount+, all of which have raised prices recently. Still, the optics are challenging for Disney, as consumers are scrutinizing household expenses more closely in a crowded streaming market.
For years, Disney+ has been regarded as one of the most family-friendly, content-rich options available. Whether audiences continue to feel that way at $19 per month for ad-free streaming is now the question. As political debate intensifies in the U.S., Disney’s ability to balance financial goals with public trust may be tricky to navigate.
How do you feel about Disney’s latest increase coming so soon after the Jimmy Kimmel controversy? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
