In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, The Walt Disney Company and its broadcast network ABC are seeking a federal court injunction to stop the Federal Communications Commission from forcing eight of Disney’s owned‑and‑operated television stations to submit early license renewal applications. The companies say the FCC’s directive, issued in late April, is a retaliatory measure aimed at silencing ABC’s programming.
Background to the FCC order
The FCC ordered Disney’s stations in major markets—including Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco—to file renewal applications years before the normal 2028 deadline. The order limited the filing window to thirty days, a period that typically spans several months for broadcasters to prepare comprehensive applications.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended the move, stating that broadcasters must comply with public‑interest obligations if they wish to remain on the public airwaves. He suggested that stations unhappy with the requirement could shift to cable, podcasting or streaming platforms.
Allegations of retaliation
Disney and ABC contend that the early‑renewal order is linked to recent criticism of ABC programming. In April, President Donald Trump publicly rebuked late‑night host Jimmy Kimmel for a joke about First Lady Melania Trump, and later complained that late‑night shows are “almost 100% negative” toward the President. The lawsuit cites Trump’s social‑media posts calling for the termination of broadcast licenses as evidence of a targeted campaign.
The complaint also references a September 2025 incident in which Disney briefly removed Kimmel from the air after pressure from FCC leadership over comments concerning the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Disney describes the FCC’s actions as an “existential threat” to its ability to produce news and entertainment content.
Legal arguments
Attorneys Beth Wilkinson and Paul Clement argue that the FCC’s order is unprecedented, violates due process, and infringes on First Amendment protections. They request that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia immediately halt any FCC action related to the early renewal filings and grant a temporary restraining order.
ABC has also asked for a “speedy hearing” to address the alleged retaliation. The companies point to a 2002 FCC staff ruling that classified ABC’s program “The View” as a legitimate news outlet, a characterization the FCC has since questioned.
Company response
Newly appointed Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro called the lawsuit a principled stand for journalistic integrity. “We’re going to stand up to what we believe is journalistic integrity, and we’re not going to be told how to run that side of our business,” D’Amaro told CNBC.
He added that Disney remains committed to telling “incredible stories” and will continue to defend its right to broadcast without political interference.
What’s next?
The case now moves to the federal court system, where a judge will decide whether to issue an immediate injunction. If granted, Disney and ABC could resume normal license‑renewal timelines, while the FCC may need to revisit its approach to enforcing public‑interest standards.
The outcome could have broader implications for how the federal government regulates broadcast media and protects First Amendment rights in the era of heightened political polarization.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
