The Powers That Be: Daily YouTube TV’s Carriage Wars & Disney’s Churn Crisis
Oct 1, 2025
Julia Alexander, a tech and media reporter, joins to dissect the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension that sent Disney+ subscriptions plummeting. She reveals that cancellations spiked dramatically and what this means for Disney's future. The conversation shifts to YouTube TV's fierce carriage battles, comparing its negotiations with traditional cable. With YouTube's unique data and AI advantages, Julia explores how it navigates rising rights fees while maintaining relevance in a competitive landscape.
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Cancellation Spike Was Historically Large
- Disney+ and Hulu experienced churn spikes six to seven times their recent averages in the five days after September 17th.
- That Jimmy Kimmel-related spike outpaced prior high-profile cancellation events like Netflix's Cuties and the Reed Hastings donation backlash.
Churn Is Temporary — Value Is The Bigger Risk
- About 32% of customers who cancel will return within 90–120 days, which helps streaming churn dynamics.
- But Disney+ has declining perceived value among U.S. customers, making those returns less guaranteed than years ago.
Strong Fall Slate Helps Short-Term Recovery
- Disney has strong seasonal and event programming (Halloween, Avatar, Zootopia, major sports) that should drive re-signups this fall.
- However, studies rank Disney+ lowest on perceived value among top U.S. streamers, signaling longer-term vulnerability.