The Hollywood celebrities are demanding Disney return Jimmy Kimmel to television. Actors are also urging customers to cancel their Disney-related services in protest. Ironically, some of them are currently working or have worked with Disney on projects.
I don’t know how this is going to go for them. Many are sick of celebrities and Hollywood, and the same people demanding Kimmel’s return said nothing when other celebrities were fired over their political leanings and comments.
Why is Jimmy Kimmel Live on hiatus?
Kimmel made some comments regarding the death of Charlie Kirk and indicated that the assassin was politically right, and “one of them.” Which has since been proven untrue. He also mocked the president with a video showing him seemingly unconcerned about Kirk’s death.
As a result, two of the biggest ABC affiliate owners refused to air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to their customers. Both Sinclair and Nexstar issued statements removing the show. Disney then put it on indefinite hiatus.
Many are asking why Disney can’t air the show on Hulu or Disney+.
Disney has paused the show and may even cancel it entirely, but people are asking the question –“Why not put ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on Hulu or Disney+?”
That would be the simplest solution on paper. However, the answer likely has to do with money.
Late-night shows are in decline and have been for a while. The viewership in key demographics is reportedly down across the board. Stephen Colbert was the one performing the best and he was still canceled for lack of performance. If the most popular show is canceled over money, it could be that Disney was looking for a reason to shut it down and Kimmel gave them one.
“According to monthly Nielsen figures, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” dropped to just 1.1 million total viewers in August 2025, down 43% from January’s 1.95 million. His August household rating of 0.35 marked the weakest showing of the year.” –New York Post
In my opinion, there is more going on than just the Charlie Kirk-related comments.
Disney always has the option to put “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” back on the air via their other networks if ABC affiliates won’t carry it. That may be what they do.
Disney is now facing a crossroads with Hollywood vs Viewers
Now that many people in Hollywood are demanding Jimmy Kimmel be returned to the air and are telling Disney customers to cancel their subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN, will Disney fold?
They may cave to the demands of celebrities who want their friend put back on the air after saying nothing when other people were canceled and fired. Most said nothing or cheered it on when Gina Carano was fired, Roseanne Barr was fired, Tim Allen was temporarily canceled, etc.
When customers were angry about Disney’s choices or behavior and cancelled subscriptions, Disney did not change their mind and ignored those people. If they cave to Hollywood demands it could cause a lot more subscribers to also cancel.
The general public is seemingly over Hollywood and late-night TV as evidenced by the ratings. Hollywood just wants another platform.
We shall see how this goes.
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