FCC Considers Early Review of Disney's ABC Broadcast Licenses

The Federal Communications Commission is moving toward a review of Disney’s broadcast licenses, people familiar with the matter told Semafor. The process, known as an early license review, could strip ABC of its ability to broadcast programming to stations across the country over publicly owned airwaves. The FCC licenses ABC’s TV stations nationwide for this purpose.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened Disney’s licenses as recently as April 2026, when he criticized the company’s diversity programs. ' The Commission may choose not to trigger the review process, some of the people familiar with the matter said. President Donald Trump demanded that the broadcaster fire Jimmy Kimmel, the host of ABC’s late-night show.

First Lady Melania Trump also demanded that the broadcaster fire Kimmel. These demands came after Kimmel's monologue two days before a gunman allegedly attempted to assassinate the president and top administration officials at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. ' A person familiar with the FCC’s thinking said the timing of a review wasn’t directly linked to the Kimmel monologue.

Representatives for Disney and the FCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to Semafor.