Disney’s Price Hike Couldn’t Have Come at a Worse Time
▼ Summary
– Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s show after his monologue about Charlie Kirk’s death, which angered conservative figures including Elon Musk.
– The company faced accusations of censorship after ABC pulled the show following an FCC threat, alarming free speech advocates and the political left.
– Widespread outrage, including from celebrities and actors, led Disney to reinstate the show, but this decision then reignited anger from the political right.
– Disney announced a price increase for Disney Plus and its bundles, adding to subscriber frustration already heightened by the Kimmel controversy.
– The company had previously raised prices and cracked down on password sharing, contributing to a trend of increasing costs across the streaming industry.
The recent announcement of a price increase for Disney Plus arrives at a moment of significant turmoil for the entertainment conglomerate. Disney finds itself navigating a public relations crisis that has alienated viewers across the political spectrum, making the timing of this hike particularly precarious. The company is now in a difficult position, attempting to manage subscriber sentiment while implementing changes that could further test customer loyalty.
The chain of events began when Disney made the controversial decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show. This action followed comments the host made about the political response to a public figure’s death, which ignited a firestorm of criticism from conservative circles. The situation escalated dramatically when a federal official suggested potential regulatory intervention, prompting Disney, through its network ABC, to pull the show from its schedule indefinitely.
This move was perceived by many as an act of corporate capitulation to political pressure, sparking immediate backlash from free speech advocates, political figures on the left, and fans of the program. The controversy drew public condemnation from a Democratic FCC commissioner and prompted calls for a boycott from celebrities, including She-Hulk star Tatiana Maslany. The pressure culminated in Disney reversing its decision and reinstating Kimmel’s show, but the damage to its reputation was already done. The reversal, in turn, re-energized criticism from the right, with prominent voices urging their own boycott of Disney’s products.
Kimmel returned to the air this week, though the show remains preempted on numerous local affiliates. In his monologue, he characterized the earlier threat from the FCC official as a violation of constitutional rights. The political drama continued as former President Donald Trump commented on the reinstatement, referencing a past legal settlement with the company.
Amid this highly publicized controversy, with social media feeds filling with videos of subscription cancellations, Disney chose to announce a price increase for its streaming services. Effective October 21st, the cost of the ad-supported Disney Plus plan will rise from $7.99 to $11.99 per month, while the premium ad-free tier will jump from $15.99 to $18.99. This follows a pattern of recent price adjustments and a crackdown on password sharing across Disney’s streaming portfolio, including Hulu and ESPN Plus.
The streaming industry as a whole is experiencing a wave of price hikes, with competitors like Peacock and Apple TV Plus also raising their rates. For Disney, however, the latest increase comes at a uniquely vulnerable time. The combination of political friction and higher costs may prove to be a tipping point for subscribers who were already reconsidering the value of their entertainment budgets. If the political fallout wasn’t enough to drive cancellations, this new financial demand might very well be the final push for many households.
(Source: The Verge)
