Quick Read
- Tatiana Maslany and Damon Lindelof called for Disney+ boycott after Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension.
- ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel following remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder.
- Celebrities and viewers are canceling Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions in protest.
- Disney+ shows like ‘King Of The Hill’ and ‘Alien: Earth’ remain top performers on Nielsen charts.
- Nexstar Media Group stopped airing Kimmel’s show across 200+ stations.
Celebrity-Led Boycott Hits Disney+ After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
Disney+, one of the world’s most prominent streaming platforms, is facing mounting backlash from both Hollywood insiders and everyday viewers. The trigger? ABC’s indefinite suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, following his controversial comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The fallout has been swift. Tatiana Maslany, best known for her role in Disney+’s “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” has openly urged fans to cancel their Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions. Maslany’s call to action, posted alongside a Marvel set throwback, is emblematic of the deep frustration felt by many in the entertainment community. “Cancel your @disneyplus @hulu @espn subscriptions!” she wrote, making her stance unmistakably clear.
Damon Lindelof, the acclaimed writer and producer behind “Lost” and “Watchmen,” also joined the chorus, expressing shock and anger at Kimmel’s suspension. Lindelof described Kimmel as “empathetic and grateful,” praising his support of colleagues during past industry strikes and his philanthropic efforts. “If it isn’t [lifted], I can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it,” Lindelof declared, signaling a willingness to sever ties if the situation doesn’t improve.
Other stars, including Amy Landecker and Frances Fisher, have taken concrete steps. Landecker posted a screenshot of her Disney+ cancellation, while Fisher announced plans to join demonstrations in Los Angeles. The list of critics is growing: Jean Smart, fresh off an Emmy win for “Hacks,” called the move “horrifying” and insisted that Kimmel’s remarks were “FREE speech, not hate speech.” Smart added, “Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”
Ben Stiller, Wanda Sykes, and Kathy Griffin are among other high-profile voices condemning the suspension, according to The Independent. For many, the issue goes beyond a single show or host—it’s about the broader implications for free speech and corporate censorship.
Viewer Backlash: Protests and Subscription Cancellations
The celebrity outcry has quickly translated into public action. Across social media platforms, viewers are sharing screenshots of canceled subscriptions and rallying outside Disney headquarters. The mood is one of frustration and defiance, with critics labeling ABC’s decision as “blatant censorship” rather than mere cancel culture.
Host Stephen Colbert weighed in on “The Late Show,” describing the move as “state censorship in real time.” Colbert’s pointed remarks reflect a growing unease about the boundaries of acceptable speech and the role of major corporations in policing it. “With an autocrat, you cannot give an inch. Jimmy, I stand with you and your staff one hundred percent,” Colbert said.
Meanwhile, President $1 Trump seized on the controversy, celebrating the suspension and calling Kimmel’s show “ratings challenged.” On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.” He also took the opportunity to criticize other late-night hosts, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, as “two total losers.”
The boycott isn’t limited to Disney+. Nexstar Media Group, the largest local TV operator in the US, announced it would stop carrying Kimmel’s show across more than 200 stations. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair, Brendan Carr, appointed under Trump, called Kimmel’s remarks “truly sick” and warned that ABC and Disney could face regulatory consequences.
Disney+ Remains a Streaming Powerhouse Despite Controversy
Ironically, as Disney+ grapples with reputational challenges, its content remains highly popular. According to the latest Nielsen streaming charts, Disney+ and Hulu continue to attract massive audiences. From August 18th to August 24th, 2025, Disney+ secured top spots in multiple categories:
- “King Of The Hill” (Hulu/Disney+): 567 million minutes viewed, ranking fourth among original series.
- “Alien: Earth” (Hulu/Disney+): 337 million minutes viewed, also making the top 10 originals.
- “Grey’s Anatomy” (Hulu/Disney+/Netflix): 801 million minutes viewed, topping the acquired series chart.
- “Bluey” (Disney+): 795 million minutes viewed, another acquired hit.
- “Family Guy” and “Bob’s Burgers” (Hulu/Disney+): Consistent chart-toppers in the acquired category.
Despite the boycott calls, Disney+ remains a fixture in American households. Its blend of original programming and popular acquisitions ensures that viewers keep coming back—even as some choose to leave in protest.
For Disney+, this creates a paradox. The platform is simultaneously the target of public criticism and a leader in the competitive streaming market. The question lingers: Can Disney weather the storm without losing its cultural relevance or audience base?
Industry Implications: Free Speech, Censorship, and Streaming’s Future
The Kimmel controversy has reignited debates about the intersection of media, politics, and corporate responsibility. For some, ABC’s actions are a necessary response to inflammatory rhetoric. For others, they represent an alarming overreach—a chilling effect on free expression in a country built on robust debate.
As more celebrities and viewers join the boycott, Disney faces a crucial test. Can it balance the demands of its creative talent and audience with the pressures of public opinion and political scrutiny? The outcome will likely set precedents for how streaming platforms and media conglomerates handle similar controversies in the future.
In the meantime, the streaming wars rage on. Disney+ continues to produce hits, drawing millions of viewers even as calls for cancellation grow louder. The platform’s future may depend not just on its content, but on its ability to navigate the shifting tides of public sentiment and industry ethics.
Disney+ stands at a crossroads—caught between the passionate activism of its stars and viewers, and the undeniable success of its streaming content. The coming months will reveal whether its cultural influence can outlast the current storm, or if the calls for boycott signal a deeper shift in the relationship between audiences, creators, and the platforms that connect them.