Disney Favorability Plunges Across Party Lines After Kimmel Suspension, Jefferies Finds

Fresh polling shows the controversy evolved into a reputational setback after FCC pressure prompted affiliate pullouts and a brief ABC suspension before Kimmel’s return.

Overview

Jefferies, using Morning Consult data, reports a sharp sentiment drop for Disney with Democrats at a two‑year low and Republicans at their lowest since March 2025.
FCC chair Brendan Carr urged broadcasters to stop airing Jimmy Kimmel’s show, after which Nexstar and Sinclair preempted it and ABC suspended the program on Sept. 17.
Disney reversed course and returned 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' to air on Sept. 23 following backlash from viewers, unions and advocacy groups.
Analysts call the episode a clear PR setback, with limited near‑term streaming impact expected but potential modest effects slipping into early 2026.
Independent reporter Maris Kabas has estimated more than 1.7 million short‑term cancellations across Disney+, Hulu and ESPN between Sept. 17–23, a figure Disney has not confirmed, as price increases take effect Oct. 21.