ABC Files Early License Renewal Under Protest

ABC, owned by Disney, filed early renewal applications for its eight television stations on Thursday, complying with a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order issued in April. The network submitted the applications "under protest," arguing the FCC's demand was "unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional." The FCC had not required early renewals in over five decades, nor had it demanded simultaneous renewals for a group of stations owned by a network. ABC's flagship station in New York, WABC, stated in its filing that the order had "no legitimate purpose" and accused the FCC of retaliatory motives. The FCC's action followed scrutiny of Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, though the timing raised questions due to recent political backlash against ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel had made a joke about First Lady Melania Trump shortly before a White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting. President Donald Trump and the first lady had publicly criticized Disney and ABC over Kimmel's remarks. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr denied the order was related to Kimmel, but ABC's filing suggested otherwise, calling the timing "unmistakable." The FCC's investigation into Disney's DEI policies began in March 2023, with the agency citing potential violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and rules against unlawful discrimination. The eight stations' licenses were originally set to renew between 2028 and 2031. ABC argued the order violated the First Amendment, claiming it could lead to an "assault on the station's license" under the guise of bureaucratic process.