Shareholders Asking For All The Tea Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Decision As Disney Stock Numbers Fall

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Even though Jimmy Kimmel has returned to his show, the consequences of his one-week suspension are still being felt. Disney, which owns the network ABC, faced significant criticism for the decision, and many people threatened to cancel their Disney+ subscriptions. Beyond the public relations issues, the suspension seems to have negatively impacted the company financially, and investors are now demanding explanations.

Disney is facing pressure from shareholders, including the American Federation of Teachers and Reporters Without Borders, who are asking the company to explain its decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel. They’ve sent a letter requesting documents to investigate whether Disney acted improperly, engaged in wrongdoing, or failed in its responsibilities to shareholders.

There’s good reason to believe the Board and company leaders didn’t act in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. They may have prioritized personal or political connections over their legal obligations to act with loyalty, care, and honesty.

Disney’s finances took a noticeable downturn after Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily taken off the air. Reports from Snopes indicate the company’s market value fell by $1.4 billion immediately after his suspension, and by a total of $6.4 billion between September 17th and September 22nd. Although the stock has since recovered somewhat, it dropped from $117 per share on the day Kimmel was suspended to $112.25 per share by the time he returned on September 23rd.

Disney, like any public company, is legally obligated to act in the best interests of its investors. The concern here is that Disney’s decision to temporarily remove Jimmy Kimmel from the air might have been influenced by pressure from two large television station groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, or from the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brandan Carr. Carr publicly hinted at potential consequences if Disney didn’t address Kimmel’s comments, which some interpreted as a threat.

Despite a successful return episode with some of its highest ratings in years, *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* continued to be blocked from airing on Nexstar and Sinclair stations. The show wasn’t available to almost a quarter of U.S. viewers due to this ongoing issue.

Sources say the decision to address Jimmy Kimmel sparked disagreement within Disney, with some reportedly urging CEO Bob Iger not to take action. Numerous celebrities publicly voiced their support for Kimmel, many of whom have close relationships with the Walt Disney Company.

Disney’s stock price fell last week after Jimmy Kimmel was suspended, suggesting the decision hurt the company financially. However, it’s impossible to say if *not* suspending him would have been even more damaging. Even if the suspension proved to be a poor financial move, the decision-makers likely won’t face consequences as long as they believed they were doing the right thing.

If documents suggest Disney acted due to outside pressure, shareholders might take legal action. Disney hasn’t publicly addressed the concerns yet. The company’s next earnings call is likely in early November, and this issue will probably still be a topic of discussion then. Bob Iger is certain to offer some comment on it.

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2025-09-25 22:00