Disney's ABC submitted applications for early license reviews to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on May 28, covering its eight company-owned TV stations in major U.S. cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco [1, 2].
The move followed an April FCC order initiating the early review, a first for a major broadcaster, coming a day after President Donald Trump publicly urged ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel [1, 2].
The FCC said the early reviews stemmed from a year-long investigation into alleged unlawful discrimination at Disney concerning its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices [1, 2]. FCC Chair Brendan Carr opened the probe in March 2025, finding Disney's submitted documents on diversity policies insufficient and stating, "If Disney engaged in illegal DEI discrimination, if it failed to operate broadcast stations in the public interest, it will be held accountable" [1, 2].
ABC responded strongly, calling the FCC order unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, while claiming it violated their First Amendment rights. An ABC spokesperson said, "This effort to suppress speech under the guise of bureaucratic process must not prevail. It is an unprecedented attack on a single company’s entire portfolio of broadcast licenses" [1]. ABC also issued a statement in Chinese emphasizing the FCC order was a serious infringement on free speech rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution [2].
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez accused the Trump administration of attempting targeted censorship. She stated, "Trump administration is engaged in a targeted effort to censor Disney and its ABC network through a series of sweeping regulatory actions" [1]. The FCC is also investigating ABC's daytime talk show The View for compliance with federal equal time rules for political candidates [1, 2].
The TV stations under examination serve major metro areas including Fresno, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Durham [1, 2]. Trump's repeated pressure on broadcasters to drop programs he dislikes or criticizes him has raised concerns about regulatory interference with editorial independence [1, 2].
Disney's early license renewal applications come as the company challenges the FCC's order while the investigation continues into its broadcast operations. No further deadlines have been announced publicly yet [1, 2].
