People are canceling Hulu and Disney+ mainly due to a controversy involving the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show on ABC, which is owned by Disney. Kimmel was suspended for comments he made about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, leading to accusations of corporate censorship and attacks on free expression. This has sparked a wave of cancellations and boycott calls under hashtags like #CancelDisneyPlus and #CancelHulu as many viewers perceive the company as bowing to political pressure rather than defending free speech. Besides the political controversy, other significant reasons include streaming fatigue, higher subscription prices, stricter rules on password sharing, and frustration with content being spread across too many platforms. Many subscribers question whether the services are worth the cost and whether Disney aligns with their values, making brand trust a critical factor in their decision. The cancellations are also amplified by public figures like Tatiana Maslany from Marvel's She-Hulk urging followers to cancel their subscriptions in protest. Some consumers are reducing spending on all Disney-related products and services as a form of protest. In summary, the key reasons for canceling Hulu and Disney+ are:
- Protest against the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and perceived censorship.
- Rising subscription costs and stricter usage rules.
- Streaming fatigue and oversaturation of streaming platforms.
- Questions about brand values and trust in Disney as a company.
This backlash is significant enough to cause spikes in cancellation searches and may have long-term effects on Disney's subscriber base and revenue.