The FCC is seeking broadcast licenses for Disney-owned ABC stations

The Federal Communications Commission ordered ABC stations owned and operated by Disney to apply for license renewals early, e.g I mentioned it earlier before New York Times. in Deposit on TuesdayThe FCC claims it made the decision as part of an investigation into Disney’s policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The move comes just one day after President Donald Trump ABC has called for the firing of a late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who called Melania Trump a “pregnant widow” in a skit, before the alleged assassination attempt during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Disney wasn’t ready to renew its streaming licenses until 2028, According to NBC News. Entertainment giant controls ABC stations in eight major marketsincluding Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia. Disney now has until May 28 to renew the license for all of its ABC stations. in spite of now “It’s very difficult for the government to take away broadcast rights from stations,” he notes, and the FCC’s order represents a worrying escalation in its fight against Disney. If the FCC blocks the renewal of ABC’s broadcast license, Disney will be able to appeal the decision in court while its television stations continue to broadcast. now Reports.

“The FCC determines that calling Disney’s ABC licenses for early renewal, at this time, under the Communications Act’s public interest standard is necessary within the meaning of the agency’s regulations,” the filing says. Disney did not immediately respond EdgeRequest for comment.

Since Trump took office in 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has He used his position to target broadcasters Broadcasting content that is not compatible with the current administration. Last year, the F.C.C I opened an investigation At Disney more Carr’s “concerns.” That the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices were “in violation of the FCC’s equal employment opportunity regulations.” Carr later threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of the stations he was broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel Live! After the late night host commented on the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. I took Disney Jimmy Kimmel Live! Out of the air After threatening Carr and He returned the offer a few days later.

Carr more Recently threatened news stations for their coverage of the war in Iran, and said that “broadcasters must act in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not do so.” President He later tried to clarify his statementclaiming that the agency has no plans to withdraw broadcast licenses, and that “the only thing we have ever talked about withdrawing broadcast licenses is for operators who are not acting in the public interest, who are cheating broadcasters and distorting the news.”

Carr uses the FCC’s news distortion policy as the basis for his claims, though The agency’s website It says broadcasters are only subject to enforcement “if it can be proven that they intentionally distorted a factual news report.” Former FCC employees They ask the federal appeals court To repeal the rule, he called Carr’s use of the policy “an abuse of regulatory power to shape voter perception and control information.”

Anna Gomez, the only Democratic Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, It’s called the Carr Challenge Disney’s broadcast licenses the agency’s “most egregious attack” on the First Amendment to date. “This is an unprecedented and politically motivated attempt to interfere in how broadcasters operate, and this illegal overreach will fail,” says Gomez. “This should be a lesson to media companies that no amount of capitulation to this administration will buy them protection.”

April 28 update: Gomez’s response added.