FCC probes ABCs The View over equal time rule

The Federal Communications Commission’s investigation into ABC’s daytime talk show “The View” has escalated into a major legal and political dispute, with the network accusing the regulator of chilling speech and targeting programs disfavored by the Trump administration. The conflict centers on whether the show qualifies as a “bona fide news program” exempt from the long-standing equal time rule.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the investigation in February 2026, following an appearance by Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico. The equal time rule, established in the 1930s, requires broadcasters who feature a political candidate to offer comparable airtime to rival candidates if requested. The FCC has since issued guidance indicating that daytime and late-night talk shows should not assume they are exempt from this rule.

ABC filed a formal response this week, urging the commission to reject the proposal. The network argued that the FCC is selectively enforcing the rule against television programs perceived as unfriendly to the administration while ignoring similar candidate appearances on conservative talk radio. “The Commission has trained its attention on daytime...