Just because there are people on CivFanatics that like to put up hundreds of posts speculating and going off-topic, does not mean there is "so much hype". I haven't read a single news item on Civ 6 in the last months anywhere outside of CivFanatics or a specific website pertaining to the Civ franchise.
Outside of this bubble, I would say there is no hype, and barely any knowledge of anything happening. I wouldn't be surprised if a majority of players wouldn't even know anything is going on behind the scenes. I therefore also wouldn't think there would be a "fair bit of negative press".
Once whatever it is they are working on comes out, I'm sure the headlines will be the same as before. "CIV DLC brings new [fill in features / civ / whatever here]" along with "but is it enough to blow new life into the series?" or "and it is amazing", just like we saw with the R&F and GS DLC.
Whatever comes out, people fantasise about it, will buy it, enjoy it, complain about features missing or not working as intended, until something new is on the horizon, and the whole cycle starts over.
People that have not bought the DLC yet did so because of specific reasons, like not being able to get enough access to mod the game, or an incomplete worldbuilder. Unless the DLC brings something that specifically counters their reason for not buying in the first place, I highly doubt they will be swayed to buy this time around.
That said, there is a 99.9% chance I'll buy it as soon as it is announced, and a substantial chance that it will be worth my time and money.
I'm not that excited about it that I can't sleep, but I am very much looking forward to it.