Disney's ABC is facing an early renewal of its broadcast licenses for eight local stations, a move seen as retaliation against critics of Donald Trump. The FCC has opened a pleading cycle for critics to challenge ABC's fitness to broadcast, with a conservative legal group confirming it will file a petition to deny.
Disney submits early broadcast license renewals for 8 ABC stations 'under protest' amid FCC's investigation into Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, citing unlawful and unconstitutional order.
President Trump has escalated his feud with Jimmy Kimmel, calling the late-night host a "lowlife" and suggesting ABC's broadcast license is in "great jeopardy." Trump criticized Kimmel's jokes about Melania Trump and his criticism of Republicans, demanding his firing.
The FCC ordered Disney to file early license renewal applications for ABC stations by May 28, but legal experts say the 1996 Telecommunications Act makes license denial nearly impossible. The law eliminated comparative renewal hearings and requires the FCC to prove willful or repeated violations before denying renewal. The action follows Trump and Melania Trump's calls to fire Jimmy Kimmel over a joke, and FCC Chair Brendan Carr's investigation into Disney's DEI practices.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has ordered Disney to file for early renewal of its ABC-owned television station licenses within 30 days, citing an ongoing investigation into the company's DEI efforts. The eight stations originally had licenses expiring between 2028-2031. Disney says it is confident in its compliance record and will contest the action through legal channels.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has ordered Disney to file for early renewal of ABC-owned television station licenses within 30 days, citing the ongoing investigation into Disney's DEI efforts that began last year. The licenses were originally scheduled for renewal between 2028 and 2031. Disney says it is confident in its compliance record and will contest the order through legal channels.
The FCC has ordered Disney to file license renewal applications for all ABC television stations within 30 days, an unprecedented move that comes after President Trump called for Jimmy Kimmel's firing following a joke about Melania Trump. The licenses were not scheduled for renewal until 2028. The agency claims it was investigating ABC for possible violations including unlawful discrimination. The action could result in license revocation, something the commission has not done in over 40 years.
The FCC has ordered Disney's ABC to seek early broadcast license renewals for its eight TV stations, following criticism from Melania Trump about a Jimmy Kimmel joke. The joke, made during a mock White House Correspondents' Dinner sketch, prompted President Trump to call for Kimmel's firing. FCC Chair Brendan Carr, speaking on a podcast hosted by Katie Miller (wife of Stephen Miller), said the FCC can accelerate license reviews if there are significant concerns about whether operations serve the public interest. Democrats and First Amendment advocates have condemned the action as government intimidation of broadcasters.
