- ABC has been asked to apply for early broadcast license renewals
- Disney-owned network says FCC is putting undue pressure
- ABC shows like Jimmy Kimmel live They have criticized the White House
A war of words has broken out between Disney-owned ABC and the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after the FCC required the network to submit its broadcast license renewal applications early.
How early? Well, the licenses don’t expire until 2028, and the usual schedule is four months before that. In this case, the FCC has requested them two years in advance, claiming that ABC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies are under investigation.
ABC has now filed the necessary applications for eight of its local television stations, while criticizing the application as “a threat to the First Amendment” (according to Deadline). In ABC’s view, moving up the renewal process is punishment for the anti-government and anti-Trump views expressed on shows like Jimmy Kimmel live and The view.
You may remember that Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air last year for comments made following the shooting of Charlie Kirk, under pressure from the FCC, before returning. He recently criticized Donald and Melania Trump again, something the American president has taken note of and commented on publicly.
‘Power and coercion’
Disney and its ABC stations are the latest victims of this administration’s campaign of censorship and control. I am glad to see them exposing the FCC’s actions as nothing more than naked political retaliation and an unlawful attack on free speech and freedom of the press. https://t.co/XYmTQ27pTxMay 28, 2026
“It is an extraordinary display of power and coercion directed at disfavored editorial voices that sends a clear warning to all broadcasters in the United States,” ABC said in a filing with the FCC, as it filed its renewals “under protest.”
Since the renewals have already been filed, it gives the FCC the right to publicly comment on them and to designate them for a hearing if the regulator deems it necessary. As licenses cannot be approved earlier than 30 days before they expire, it means ABC will be under increased scrutiny over the next two years.
“Disney and its ABC stations are the latest victims of this administration’s campaign of censorship and control,” said FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the FCC. “I’m glad to see them expose the FCC’s actions as nothing more than naked political retaliation and an unlawful attack on free speech and the press.”
However, the FCC has defended its actions. “The Commission will continue to review ownership structures to ensure that they respond to the needs of their local communities and provide diverse viewpoints that reflect the information needs of those communities,” the FCC said in a statement, rejecting that the move was a denial of free speech.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds.
The best laptops for all budgets
