FCC Orders Early ABC Station License Renewals

The Federal Communications Commission ordered Disney to submit early license renewal applications for its eight ABC-owned television stations on Tuesday, accelerating a review years ahead of the stations' 2028 expiration dates.

The stations, located in major markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Houston and San Francisco, must file the renewals within 30 days. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated the action stems from an ongoing investigation into the company's diversity, equity and inclusion practices, including allegations that Disney delayed providing related documents. "This was based on our assessment of where we were," Carr said, according to reports. "In this particular case, this action is driven by investigation into DEI conduct, not any speech at all." He added that the review would assess whether the stations have operated in the public interest under the Communications Act.

The move follows controversy over a joke by ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who last Thursday remarked that First Lady Melania Trump had "the look of an expectant widow." The comment, which Kimmel later described as a light roast highlighting the age difference between the...