ABC has filed formal opposition to the Federal Communications Commission's effort to force early renewal of its broadcast station licenses, accusing the agency of retaliation over network programming and seeking to intimidate the press, the network announced.
The early renewal applies to eight ABC licenses. ABC describes the FCC's action as 'extraordinary and unprecedented' and alleges that the agency spent the last 18 months searching for a pretext to revoke the stations' licenses. The network claims the real motivation is that the Administration dislikes content on ABC network programs.
The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company.
— ABC
The FCC ordered ABC to file for early license renewal in April, citing potential violations including the prohibition on unlawful discrimination amid a DEI probe. FCC Chair Brendan Carr has targeted ABC over a joke by Jimmy Kimmel and over 'The View'. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized Carr, likening him to a 'mafioso' over his threat regarding the Kimmel comments.
153,000+ comments
Filed on the FCC docket, including from a bipartisan group of former FCC chairs and officials.
ABC accuses the FCC and Carr of trying to censor its stations. The network says the FCC's attempted censorship has attracted condemnation across the political aisle. ABC formally rebukes the FCC for its review of TV licenses, arguing it sends a chilling message to all media.
Updates
The FCC has expedited the license renewal process for eight ABC stations originally scheduled for 2028-2031, following disputes over specific content, including a joke by Jimmy Kimmel and the network's refusal to air a primetime address by Donald Trump. Former FCC officials have characterized these actions as part of a campaign to punish disfavored speech, while ABC has urged viewers to submit public comments on the FCC docket. The network maintains that its stations meet renewal standards and that the agency's DEI investigation uncovered no violations, further arguing that the FCC has alternative remedies available if any issues were to be substantiated.
The FCC has expedited the license renewal process for eight ABC stations originally scheduled between 2028 and 2031 amid ongoing tensions involving Jimmy Kimmel. Documents reveal the agency threatened these licenses following a Kimmel joke regarding the killing of Charlie Kirk, while Chairman Carr also sought to penalize 'The View' over equal time rules and expressed frustration over ABC declining to air a primetime address by Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Melania Trump has publicly demanded Kimmel's termination, as ABC maintains that the agency's DEI investigation has yielded no violations.
The FCC's expedited notice comes amid tensions regarding ABC's decision not to air a Trump primetime address on linear television, a move the Chairman signaled should have been broadcast. While conservative groups like the Center for American Rights have petitioned to deny the renewals, the ACLU and dozens of Democratic members of Congress have accused the agency of abusing its power to violate free speech. Additionally, former FCC officials have characterized the agency's actions as part of a broad 'campaign to punish speech disfavored by the Trump administration.'
The dispute centers on allegations that the FCC expedited the renewal process—originally scheduled between 2028 and 2031—in response to ABC's decision not to air a Trump primetime address and a joke made by Jimmy Kimmel. While conservative groups have filed petitions to deny the renewals, the ACLU and other free speech organizations argue the agency is abusing its power to censor viewpoints, prompting Senators Ron Wyden and Ted Cruz to team up on legislation to rein in such regulatory coercion.
