Last updated on September 23rd, 2025
Since Trump’s taken office, most major media and tech conglomerates have bent the knee to not offend the thin-skinned commander-in-chief and his cabinet. They still need mergers approved and such, after all. The latest company is Disney, who “indefinitely” yanked Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show this week after he criticized Trump and his supporters’ reaction to the assassination of far-right political activist Charlie Kirk. (Update, 9/23/25: Kimmel’s now back.) This of course hasn’t stopped Trump’s FCC head Brendan Carr from threatening retaliation against ABC. Nor has it stopped Trump from gloating about the show’s suspension, while threatening other TV broadcasters that report negative news about him.
For obvious reasons, there’s been a recent rise in the number of people seeking alternatives to Disney’s streaming services: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. Boycotting anything and everything to do with Disney’s an option. However, since Disney owns quite a bit, that covers a lot, including stuff that has nothing to do with Mickey Mouse or Disneyland: Marvel comics/movies, “Monday Night Football,” “The Simpsons,” the “Alien” films, etc.
Another option is finding alternative sources for Disney’s content, while minimizing or avoiding paying Disney for it. Below, I look at some alternatives to paying for Disney+ and Hulu.
Buy DVDs and Blu-rays of your favorite Disney content
For years, Disney’s released their films to DVD and Blu-ray. As such, you’re likely to find all of your favorite films on video, from the Disney/Pixar animated films to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to “Star Wars.”
While there’s some DVDs of their TV shows, Disney’s TV cartoons rarely get DVD releases, which has always been a major weak spot. It’s possible to buy a complete collection of a 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon like “The Peter Potamus Show” on DVD, but not a major 2000s Disney series like “Kim Possible.” Fortunately, some classic Disney shows like the original “DuckTales” and “Goof Troop” are on DVD. Third party shows like “Bluey” also have Blu-ray releases (no pun intended).
If you’re looking to avoid giving Disney money, you can always buy used DVDs and Blu-rays from places like eBay, yard sales, Goodwill, etc.
Check out DVDs and Blu-rays from the public library
The public library is an excellent place to find DVDs and Blu-rays, all for free. My local library has Disney’s film and TV library available; unfortunately, they mainly buy the DVD versions, and not their Blu-ray editions.
For techies: set up a media server
Techie types can set up a media server, digitize their DVDs/Blu-rays to digital video files, and put the files on said server. Plex and Jellyfin are popular media server options.
Of course, this route takes some time, effort, money (if equipment’s needed), and tech skills: a computer or NAS (Network Atttached Storage) device as a server; adequate hard drive space; a Blu-ray drive to rip DVDs and Blu-rays using software such as MakeMKV (and convert to MP4 files via Handbrake); and media server software such as Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby. Still, after it’s done, you can access your videos in an interface similar to Hulu or Disney+.
Use a TV antenna to watch ABC
A TV antenna can be used to pull in your local ABC station for free, letting you still watch ABC programming.
Switch to other streaming services
Of course, alternative streaming services do exist. Below are what I’d consider the least problematic major streaming services (as of this writing):
- PBS / PBS Kids: PBS is a free and non-commercial option with excellent programming, especially for kids. PBS and PBS Kids offer free apps for viewing content, as well as streaming your local PBS/PBS Kids station. PBS also could use the support, given the Trump administration’s completely cut federal funding for public broadcasting.
- Hoopla and Kanopy: Hoopla and Kanopy are two streaming services available through some public libraries for free.
- Apple TV+: While Tim Cook has appealed to Trump’s ego, Apple TV+ hasn’t been subject (so far) to any Disney or Paramount style self-censorship. Apple is also one of the few major tech companies that hasn’t dropped DEI.
- Netflix: Netflix is the most prominent streaming service, and offers plenty of content. While Netflix has its share of flaws, they don’t relate to Trump.
Conclusion
I just canceled Hulu, having signed up for it last year during a Black Friday sale. I was about to cancel it anyway, as the one-year period was almost up, but the Jimmy Kimmel situation just led me to do it sooner. Most of my Hulu viewing has been game shows, plus “Welcome to Wrexham.”
I haven’t had Disney+ in some time; I used to have the Disney Bundle (to replace Netflix), but canceled it. I replaced Disney+ with buying DVDs and Blu-rays of my favorite films, ripping them, and adding the movies to my media server. I also downloaded a few cartoons from YouTube and elsewhere (again, Disney’s handling of its TV cartoons on DVD/Blu-ray is abysmal).
Image: Hulu and Disney+ logos. (Disney)
