Disney’s ABC sues FCC to halt eight-station license review
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Disney’s ABC sues the Federal Communications Commission in Washington on Tuesday to halt an early review of eight ABC station licenses. The lawsuit alleges the Trump administration is retaliating against the network for its broadcast content. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says the license review concerns the company’s DEI initiatives, not speech.
Key Facts
- Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission in U.S. District Court in Washington on Tuesday to block an early review of broadcast licenses for eight ABC stations.
- The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to halt the license renewal process and prevent an agency hearing.
- Disney alleges the Trump administration is waging a retaliatory campaign against ABC because it disapproves of the network’s broadcast content.
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr launched a probe into Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives last year.
- The FCC announced an early license renewal for ABC’s eight local stations in April, shortly after Trump called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired.
The Lawsuit
Disney and ABC filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Washington on Tuesday to block an early review of licenses for eight ABC stations. The company asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction halting the FCC’s license renewal process. Disney said the public comment period ended earlier this month and the FCC could act at any time. The lawsuit alleges the administration is violating ABC’s First Amendment free speech rights. Disney stated it had no alternative except total capitulation to the administration’s demands.
The DEI Probe and License Renewal
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr launched a probe into Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives last year. ABC executives felt the DEI probe was a response to commentary on “The View” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” both critics of the Trump administration. In April, shortly after Jimmy Kimmel made disparaging remarks about Trump and the president called for the host to be fired, the FCC launched an early license renewal for ABC’s eight local broadcast stations. Carr has said the license renewal review is not about speech but about the company’s DEI initiatives. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged broadcasters to drop comedy or news programs he dislikes and pressed the FCC to revoke ABC’s licenses.
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Disney’s ABC sues FCC to halt eight-station license review
