ABC has submitted a critical filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), opposing the petition to deny license renewals for its eight stations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called for early renewal of these licenses in April. Originally, these Disney-owned stations’ licenses were set for renewal between 2028 and 2031. The FCC expedited the process amid tensions between the Trump administration and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
The stations must show they operate in the public interest. This is part of an examination of Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. While the filing did not mention Kimmel, ABC argues the action is retaliatory. ABC’s legal team stated, “There is no question why the Commission is singling out these eight stations: Each is owned by ABC, and the Administration has openly and repeatedly called for the revocation of ABC’s licenses because it dislikes the content and viewpoints expressed on ABC network programs.”
The stations involved include KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, N.C., WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and KTRK-TV in Houston.
“The outpouring of support for the Stations has been unprecedented for a license renewal proceeding,” ABC wrote.
More than 140,000 comments have been received from the stations’ local communities. Over 95% of those comments support the stations, ranging from individual viewers to local police, firefighters, charities, businesses, and schools. These supporters span the ideological spectrum but share a commitment to free speech and press freedom. ABC insists the stations serve the public interest adequately.
ABC claims the FCC spent 18 months searching for a reason to revoke the licenses but found none as the stations meet the standard for renewal. The Trump administration’s conflict with Kimmel, who often criticizes the president, includes a controversial joke about the first lady, leading her to call for his firing. Additionally, the FCC probed the ABC daytime show “The View” and objected to ABC declining to air a Trump primetime address.
ABC warned that the measures against it serve as a threat to media companies, indicating repercussions for not conforming to official perspectives. ABC stated, “Calling up the license of a single Station — let alone all eight at once — while the Commission’s DEI investigation has found no violation is unnecessary, premature, and punitive.”
An FCC spokesperson emphasized broadcasters’ legal obligations to operate in the public interest and comply with regulations, warning they would enforce accountability without regard for disinformation.
The Media Research Center (MRC), supportive of the FCC’s early review of ABC’s licenses, argued their stance is based on documented conduct, not political disagreement. MRC President David Bozell remarked that American trust in the media is low, supporting the review’s necessity over distractions.