Disney, one of the largest entertainment brands in the world, finds itself at the center of multiple controversies. While it’s been said that any publicity is good publicity, that may not be the case for Disney. After receiving backlash from both the left and the right concerning the Jimmy Kimmel suspension, Disney is also facing subscriber outrage following the announcement of price increases.

Kimmel Suspension: Free Speech or Corporate Capitulation?

Since mid-September, Disney has found itself at the center of multiple controversies, the first of which involved late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a popular Republican commentator and ally of Donald Trump, Kimmel made comments on his show about the Republican Party politicizing Kirk’s death. His commentary quickly drew the ire of the right, including President Trump.

High-profile critics, including Elon Musk, used their platforms to demand accountability, while FCC Chair Brendan Carr added fuel to the fire by questioning whether ABC had violated broadcast standards. Under growing pressure, Disney pulled Kimmel from the air indefinitely, a move many saw as a calculated effort to avoid political conflict.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr and right-leaning influencers continued to pressure Disney, which owns ABC, until the network removed Kimmel’s show indefinitely. Many viewed this move as a nod to censorship rather than a defense of creative freedom. The decision drew ire of those on the left, including members of the Writers’ Union, who staged picket lines outside Disney offices. Anna Gomez labeled the removal “cowardly corporate capitulation” that jeopardized First Amendment ideals.

Celebrities from Tom Hanks to Jennifer Aniston signed letters demanding Kimmel’s reinstatement, and fans threatened mass cancellations. Roughly a week after placing Kimmel and his show on “indefinite leave,” Disney reversed course and reinstated the show. However, the relative silence with which Kimmel was put back on the air did little to calm the anger of those who believed that Kimmel should have never been removed from the air in the first place.

Disney’s Pattern of Controversy

For many onlookers, Disney’s decision to suspend Kimmel was not an isolated incident. Instead, it was perceived as another controversy for a company that seems to consistently find itself in the middle of something. Disney has spent years navigating politically charged battles, from clashes over LGBTQ+ representation in films to high-profile legal disputes with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Each episode has chipped away at the company’s carefully built image as a family-friendly, apolitical brand.

The Kimmel controversy reinforced the belief that Disney struggles to strike a balance between creative freedom and shareholder satisfaction. By attempting to avoid one political backlash, it inadvertently provoked both sides, deepening skepticism about its leadership strategy.

In today’s polarized climate, entertainment companies face constant pressure to take a stand. Yet Disney’s attempt at neutrality has left it vulnerable, with critics on both sides of the aisle accusing the company of taking sides.

The Price Hike That Adds Fuel to the Fire

Disney was trying to steady the ship regarding Kimmel, his comments on Charlie Kirk, and his subsequent suspension and reinstatement. However, things went from bad to worse in the eyes of the public when the company announced that it would be raising the price of Disney+, the official Disney streaming service. On October 21, 2025, Disney+ is slated to go from $9.99 per month to $11.99.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Viewers already weary of rising costs across Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and Max were stunned by yet another increase. To make matters worse, Disney only recently raised prices in October 2024 and introduced restrictions on password sharing, forcing households to pay extra fees if they share accounts outside their primary address.

To make matters worse, there are now rumblings that some other streaming platforms could consider lowering their prices, an obvious attempt to capitalize on the growing dissatisfaction with Disney’s recent decisions.

Industry analysts warn that Disney risks losing ground to competitors like Netflix, which has aggressively invested in international content, or Amazon Prime, which bundles entertainment with shopping perks. Meanwhile, emerging platforms are offering lower-cost alternatives, giving frustrated Disney+ subscribers somewhere to turn.

For families juggling multiple subscriptions, the latest hike feels like an unwelcome squeeze. On social media, many users vented their frustration, saying they would cancel or downgrade their plans rather than pay more. The result is a growing streaming backlash that threatens to erode Disney’s subscriber base at a critical moment in the company’s history.

Streaming customers expect occasional adjustments, but the perception of unfairness is driving anger. Some argue Disney is penalizing loyal users while offering promotional discounts to new signups. Others say the company is out of touch with families who rely on its content for children’s entertainment.

Some critics also point to the recent news that ESPN, which is owned by Disney, will be airing WWE’s Premium Live Events through a package on its app. This package comes with a higher cost, which has angered pro-wrestling fans and ESPN subscribers, creating an even larger divide between Disney and its subscriber base.

What This Means for Disney’s Future

Disney’s leadership team now finds itself trying to navigate a perfect storm. In addition to customers who are angry about paying more for the same amount of content, the company is also trying to extinguish a political firestorm.

Had the Kimmel cancellation, reinstatement, and price hike all taken place months apart, it’s fair to assume that subscriber sentiment would be much different. However, with everything happening in the course of a couple of weeks, it appears that virtually everyone is angry at Disney. Still, the “House of Mouse” will likely find a way to rebound and maintain its position atop the entertainment world. However, it's going to take some strategic decisions from those in positions of power.

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