The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expedited the renewal process for eight ABC-owned television stations, prompting Disney to accuse the agency of retaliatory action. The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, called for early renewal of the stations' licenses, which were originally set to expire between 2028 and 2031. Disney, which owns ABC, argues the move is politically motivated, citing tensions between the Trump administration and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
In a 109-page filing, Disney's legal team accused the FCC of waging a "retribution" campaign, claiming the agency has spent 18 months searching for a pretext to revoke the licenses. The filing also noted that over 140,000 public comments, with 95% supporting the stations, were submitted during the renewal process. The stations in question include KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, and WABC-TV in New York.
The FCC's action follows a rare move to demand early renewal, which Disney argues could force its largest stations off the air if licenses are revoked. The agency has not publicly commented on the allegations of retaliation. Conservative groups have also weighed in, urging the FCC to review ABC's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices as part of the public interest requirement for license renewal.