Disney Stock Takes a Hit as Kimmel Suspension Sparks Streaming Chaos
The world of late-night television has always been fraught with controversy, especially when a high-profile host like Jimmy Kimmel is involved. A comedian’s offhand comment can quickly escalate into a full-blown media crisis, affecting not just the individuals involved, but also the corporations behind them.
In recent days, Disney found itself in the thick of such a controversy after the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, triggered by Kimmel’s remarks about Donald Trump and activist Charlie Kirk.
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The repercussions were swift and significant. As Disney tried to manage the fallout from the suspension, both the company’s stock and streaming platform faced tangible consequences. The situation sparked protests, calls for boycotts, and a wave of cancellations from Disney+ subscribers.
On September 17, 2025, Disney and ABC announced the immediate suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! The move came after Kimmel made comments about Donald Trump and the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The backlash was immediate, particularly from Republican groups, who demanded consequences for Kimmel’s statements.
Major ABC affiliates, including Nexstar Media and Sinclair Broadcasting, also announced they would pull Kimmel’s show from their networks, further escalating the situation.
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The suspension was met with widespread condemnation from several Hollywood unions, including the Screen Actors Guild, the Producers Guild, and the Writers Guild. The protests against Disney’s decision grew in intensity, with large crowds gathering outside the Disney lot in Burbank, California.
Several Disney stars, such as Mark Ruffalo, also voiced their criticism of the company’s actions, warning that the stock would continue to decline if they did not bring Kimmel back.
Kimmel’s refusal to apologize for his remarks has complicated the discussions between him and Disney. As of now, it appears that the network and the host are still in talks, trying to figure out a path forward. However, progress has been slow, and Kimmel’s stance has added further friction to the already tense negotiations.
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While Disney has been under increasing pressure from both the public and Hollywood, Sinclair Broadcasting has also weighed in on the situation.
According to reports, Sinclair has sent Kimmel a list of demands for his return to the airwaves. These include a direct apology to Charlie Kirk’s family, a donation to Kirk’s family and his organization, Turning Point U.S.A., and taking steps to “uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Kimmel has reportedly refused to meet these demands, stating that he will not apologize and intends to defend what he said. He has said that his comments are being “mischaracterized” and he will not “kowtow to the outrage.”
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The ongoing drama has not been kind to Disney’s stock. As of September 21, Disney’s stock had dropped over 2%, equating to a loss of approximately $4.4 billion since the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was announced.
As if the stock drop wasn’t enough, Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+, has also been impacted. A wave of cancellations has surged across the platform as subscribers express their displeasure with Disney’s actions. Social media posts have flooded in from users declaring their intention to cancel their subscriptions, with many using the hashtag #CancelDisneyPlus.
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The spike in cancellations has caused significant issues for the Disney+ website, with users reporting technical problems when attempting to follow through with their cancellations.
You better get your sh€t together, @DisneyPlus cos I wanna cancel my subscription but all I’ve been getting for hours now is this, online and on the app. Yeah, that “unexpected error” is a mass cancellation, I guess. When you bow down to fascism, you better expect ppl to act!
You better get your sh€t together, @DisneyPlus cos I wanna cancel my subscription but all I’ve been getting for hours now is this, online and on the app. Yeah, that “unexpected error” is a mass cancellation, I guess. When you bow down to fascism, you better expect ppl to act! pic.twitter.com/FgbD5TsxCg
— Sofia 🏳️🌈💙💚 #LOUnatic #Tarlos #FirstPrince (@spn_junkie_23) September 19, 2025
The situation is now at a crossroads. It’s possible that Disney and Kimmel will reach an agreement, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to the airwaves. However, if Disney refuses to budge on the demands set by Sinclair or if Kimmel remains firm in his refusal to apologize, it could mean the end of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at ABC.
The stakes are high, and the outcome will likely set a precedent for how media companies handle such situations in the future.
Do you think Disney made the right call by suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live!? Should Kimmel apologize for his comments, or is this an attack on free speech? How should Disney handle the backlash and declining stock price? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
