ABC Files Early License Renewals, Objects to FCC Order

The Disney-owned ABC network filed early license renewal applications for its eight television stations on Thursday. The submissions fulfilled a demand set by the Federal Communications Commission. The media company objected to the agency’s April 28 order that started the early renewal process years before the scheduled license expiration date.

ABC’s flagship station in New York stated the Commission had not demanded early renewal in over five decades and had never before required simultaneous applications from a group of stations commonly owned with a network.

The FCC gave ABC 30 days to comply with its demand.

The commission’s early license renewal order followed its scrutiny of the broadcaster’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The order came shortly after President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump demanded Disney and ABC fire late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated the decision had nothing to do with Kimmel. ABC noted the timing in its filing. The document stated the order suddenly emerged the day after public calls for punitive action in response to comments made during ABC Network programming.

ABC called on the FCC to rescind the order, stating it is plainly incompatible with the First Amendment. The company warned the order opens the door to an assault on the station’s license while the Commission searches for a legal pretext. The network also criticized the FCC for targeting a whole network of stations rather than a single station.

It stated simultaneously forcing every station in a media company’s portfolio to file premature license renewal applications is an extraordinary demonstration of power and coercion.

Separately, the FCC is targeting ABC’s The View by enforcing the equal time rule that does not exempt daytime talk shows from bona fide news coverage. The program is facing a federal challenge after its hosts interviewed Texas Democrat James Talarico but not his opposing candidates in the Senate race.

Carr posted on X that Disney only filed these applications after the FCC informed the company that their responses to the agency’s investigation had been disingenuous, deficient, and improper. He stated broadcast licensees have a unique obligation to operate in the public interest.