FCC Begins Early Review of ABC Broadcast Licenses in Disney Probe

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has directed Disney to file early renewal applications for broadcast licenses of its ABC television stations. The order came on Tuesday as part of an investigation into Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

ABC owns eight TV stations, including WABC-TV in New York and KABC-TV in Los Angeles. The investigation began in March 2025, focusing on whether Disney's DEI policies violated federal anti-discrimination rules. The FCC alleges that ABC's inclusion standards may have led to racial and identity quotas in production and used race-based hiring practices.

The agency also claims restrictions on corporate fellowships to certain demographic groups.

The FCC's order occurred the day after President Trump called for the firing of Jimmy Kimmel. This followed a joke by Kimmel on his late-night ABC talk show that involved President Trump and Melania Trump. Katie Fallow, deputy litigation director of Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Institute, stated to CBS News that the action appears to pressure Disney and ABC regarding programming and Kimmel's employment, describing the timing as highly suspect.

Blair Levin, a policy analyst with New Street Research and former FCC employee, stated in a report that the timing suggests a connection to President Trump's call rather than an employment action by ABC. The broader context includes efforts by the Trump administration to reduce DEI initiatives in various sectors.

Disney did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the company stated earlier this week that it has a long record of compliance with FCC rules and is confident in demonstrating its qualifications under the Communications Act and the First Amendment. The FCC declined to comment, referring to previous remarks by its chairman at a press conference on Thursday.

The chairman highlighted allegations of discrimination dating back to March 2025 and noted a similar order to Bridge News for early license renewal applications. The chairman emphasized holding broadcasters accountable to public interest and equal employment opportunity obligations.

Legal experts indicate that the FCC faces significant obstacles in revoking or denying broadcast licenses. Andrew Jay Schwartzman, a public interest lawyer specializing in media, told CBS News that revocation requires the FCC to prove gross misconduct, describing the legal standard as insurmountable.

Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, stated that denying renewal would involve a lengthy process before an administrative law judge, with potential appeals. He added that allegations based solely on DEI policies may not suffice to challenge licenses and could raise First Amendment issues if programming is involved.

Historically, the FCC has rarely denied license renewals. In 1975, the agency denied renewal for five radio stations after finding instructions for favorable political coverage, according to a research paper by Chad Raphael, a communications professor at Santa Clara University.

The National Association of Broadcasters stated on Wednesday that the license renewal process should be predictable, fair, and transparent. The group noted that the FCC's request for early reapplications deviates from traditional enforcement and creates uncertainty for broadcasters.