Disney and ABC File Lawsuit to Block FCC Early License Renewal Order
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
The Walt Disney Company and ABC have sued the Federal Communications Commission to halt an order requiring their eight owned-and-operated TV stations to submit broadcast license renewals years ahead of schedule.
The Walt Disney Company and its broadcast network ABC filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking an injunction against a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) directive that ordered Disney’s eight owned-and-operated television stations to file early broadcast-license renewal applications. The FCC order, issued in late April, required the stations—located in markets such as Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco—to submit renewal filings that would not normally be due until 2028, giving them only thirty days to prepare the applications.
Disney and ABC contend that the FCC’s action is a retaliatory response to programming on ABC, including the talk show "The View" and comments made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that were criticized by the White House. The complaint cites President Donald Trump’s social-media posts questioning whether broadcast licenses should be terminated for hosts perceived as critical of the administration.
"Acting through the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration has waged a retaliatory campaign against ABC for a single reason: it disapproves of what ABC broadcasts," the lawsuit states.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that the FCC’s order is unprecedented and imposes an "existential threat" to the stations, demanding a swift hearing, a temporary restraining order, and an immediate halt to any further FCC action related to the early renewals.
An FCC spokesperson responded that broadcasters have a legal obligation to serve the public interest and that the commission has been investigating alleged discrimination claims against Disney for over a year. The spokesperson added that the FCC will continue to follow the facts and the law.
Anna M. Gomez, the sole Democratic member of the FCC, praised the legal challenge, saying it signals resistance to what she described as government intimidation.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended the order, stating it is intended to ensure broadcasters meet public-interest obligations and that stations unwilling to comply could shift to other platforms such as cable or streaming.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro said the company is “principled” in defending journalistic integrity and will not be dictated on how to run its broadcast business.
The case adds to ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major media outlets over content and regulatory actions.