FCC moves to strip ABC's "The View" of news exemption and review Disney broadcast licenses

The Federal Communications Commission is preparing a ruling that would remove the long-standing news-program exemption for ABC's daytime talk show "The View," a change that could subject the series to the agency's equal-time rules for political candidates. The decision, expected before Labor Day, follows an FCC inquiry launched after the show interviewed Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico in February.

If the exemption is revoked, the program would be required to provide comparable airtime to rival candidates when it features a political figure, a requirement ABC says would limit its editorial discretion. ABC and its parent company Disney have indicated they will contest any adverse outcome.

In a related matter, the FCC is escalating an investigation into Disney's broadcast television licenses, a step that could lead to an administrative hearing and potentially affect ABC-owned stations in New York, Los Angeles and other large markets. The license proceeding may be heard by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr or the full commission before any judicial appeal.

ABC has argued that the FCC's actions encroach on editorial independence, stating, "The First Amendment does not permit the government to sit in an editor’s chair." The network also requested that the agency reaffirm a 2002 ruling that classified "The View" as a bona-fide news interview program exempt from equal-time requirements.

Conservative groups, including the Media Research Center and America First Legal, have urged the FCC to deny renewal of ABC's broadcast licenses, alleging political bias and a failure to serve the public interest. The FCC has not yet commented on the matters.