ABC has filed a critical response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), challenging attempts to fast-track license renewals for its stations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had initiated early renewals for eight ABC-owned stations in April. These Disney-owned stations were set for renewal between 2028 and 2031. However, recent tensions between the Trump administration and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel expedited the process.
The eight ABC stations must show they serve the public interest, focusing on Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While the FCC filing does not directly mention Kimmel, ABC argues that the move is retaliatory.
“There is no question why the Commission is singling out these eight stations: Each is owned by ABC, and the Administration has openly and repeatedly called for the revocation of ABC’s licenses, because it dislikes the content and viewpoints expressed on ABC network programs,” ABC’s legal team stated.
The stations involved include KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, N.C., WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and KTRK-TV in Houston.
ABC asserted unprecedented public support for the stations in the license renewal process. They noted receiving over 140,000 comments from various community members, with more than 95% backing the stations. Support came from individuals spanning the ideological spectrum united in their commitment to free speech and press freedom.
In its filing, ABC criticized the FCC’s actions as retaliatory. They asserted the FCC has spent 18 months trying to find reasons to revoke the stations’ licenses but has found no justifiable cause, as the stations meet renewal standards under the law.
The Trump administration has had ongoing conflicts with Kimmel, who often targets the president in his monologues. This year, a controversial joke led to first lady Melania Trump demanding Kimmel’s dismissal. The FCC is also investigating the ABC daytime show “The View,” and Carr criticized ABC for not airing Trump’s primetime address on TV.
“The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country: accommodate the Administration’s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price,” ABC’s filing stated.
ABC argued that calling up the licenses prematurely was unnecessary and punitive. The filing emphasized the lack of violation evidence from the DEI investigation, suggesting the FCC has other remedies available besides license non-renewal.
The FCC reiterated broadcasters’ responsibility to operate in the public interest, free from partisan influences. They emphasized that broadcasters must avoid DEI discrimination and comply with political equal opportunity regulations.
The conservative group Media Research Center (MRC), which had earlier supported the early review of ABC’s licenses, reaffirmed its stand. MRC President David Bozell emphasized that their support is based on documented actions, not political differences.