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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.