FCC Targets Disney-Owned ABC Station Broadcast Licenses
▼ Summary
– The FCC has ordered Disney-owned ABC stations to file for early broadcast license renewal as part of an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
– The order came one day after President Trump demanded ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel for a skit about Melania Trump, though the FCC filing does not mention Kimmel.
– Disney controls ABC stations in eight major markets, and its licenses were not due for renewal until 2028; Disney now must file by May 28th.
– FCC Chair Brendan Carr has targeted broadcasters with content opposing the administration, including a prior investigation into Disney’s DEI practices and threats over Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
– The FCC’s only Democratic commissioner called the move “unprecedented, unlawful, and going nowhere,” citing First Amendment protections.
The Federal Communications Commission has taken an aggressive step against Disney, ordering early renewal filings for all ABC stations owned and operated by the entertainment giant. This move, first reported by The New York Times, stems from an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The FCC filed the order on Tuesday, citing the public interest standard under the Communications Act as justification.
The timing is notable. Just one day prior, President Donald Trump publicly demanded that ABC fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after a skit referred to Melania Trump as an “expectant widow” ahead of an alleged assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Disney was not scheduled to renew its broadcast licenses until 2028, according to NBC News. The company holds licenses in eight major markets, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia. Disney now faces a May 28th deadline to submit license renewals for all its ABC stations.
As the NYT noted, revoking a station’s right to broadcast is extremely difficult. Even if the FCC blocks renewal, Disney can challenge the decision in court while its stations continue operating. The FCC filing states that “calling in Disney’s ABC licenses for early renewal, at this time, under the Communications Act’s public interest standard is essential within the meaning of agency regulations.” Disney has not responded to The Verge’s request for comment.
This action fits a pattern under FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who has targeted broadcasters airing content that conflicts with the current administration. Since Trump took office in 2025, Carr opened an investigation into Disney over concerns that its DEI practices violated FCC equal employment opportunity regulations. He later threatened to pull licenses for stations airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host commented on the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk. Disney briefly pulled the show from the air before reinstating it days later.
Carr has also threatened news stations for their coverage of the war in Iran, stating that “broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.” He later clarified that the agency has no plans to pull licenses for most operators, only those “doing broadcast hoax, news distortion.”
Anna Gomez, the FCC’s only Democratic commissioner, responded sharply to Semafor’s initial report on Carr’s plan. “This is unprecedented, unlawful, and going nowhere,” she said. “This political stunt won’t stick. Companies should challenge it head-on. The First Amendment is on their side.”
This story is developing.
(Source: The Verge)