ABC launches TV ads urging public comment on FCC actions affecting The View and local stations

ABC announced that television spots will begin airing Monday to inform viewers about ongoing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings involving the daytime talk show The View and the early renewal of broadcast licenses for eight ABC-owned stations. The ads encourage the public to submit comments before the July 6 deadline for the show’s case and before July 29 for the local-station renewals, providing QR codes for easy access.

The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, opened an investigation after The View featured Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, questioning whether the program must comply with equal-time rules that require comparable airtime for political opponents. ABC argues that The View has historically been classified as a “bona fide news program,” citing a 2002 FCC ruling that affirmed the exemption.

In a filing, ABC described the commission’s request for an early license renewal as “an extraordinary demonstration of power and coercion directed at editorial voices.” The network also noted that nearly 2,500 comments have already been submitted in the proceeding concerning The View.

An FCC spokesperson responded that Disney is seeking to have The View classified as news and accused the network of “misleading viewers about the law.”

The local-station ads highlight each market, such as New York’s WABC-TV, and ask residents to voice support for keeping the stations on the air, noting the early renewal order was linked to an FCC review of Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies.