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Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, Aug. 18, seeking to stop an early review of eight television licenses. The Disney ABC FCC lawsuit alleges that federal officials violated the First Amendment by targeting protected programming and editorial decisions.
The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Disney, ABC and the eight affected local stations are asking the court to halt the renewal proceedings.
Disney ABC FCC lawsuit challenges early review
The dispute began when the FCC ordered Disney and ABC to submit early renewal applications in April. The stations filed those applications on May 28.
Broadcast television licenses generally remain valid for eight years. According to an FCC public notice, none of the affected licenses would normally require renewal before 2028.
The FCC said the accelerated process supports an investigation into possible violations of federal nondiscrimination rules. Those rules apply to hiring, promotions, compensation and workplace opportunities.
The agency also said it must determine whether each station operates in the public interest. The FCC may deny a renewal after a hearing if a station fails to meet federal standards.
Disney and ABC dispute the agency’s explanation. Their lawsuit describes the review as retaliation for news coverage and television programming criticized by President Donald Trump’s administration.
ABC raises First Amendment concerns
The companies allege that government pressure has escalated into threats against ABC’s ability to broadcast. They argue that those actions could influence newsroom decisions and programming choices.
“Again and again, the Administration has attacked ABC’s speech,” the complaint states. It says those attacks have included criticism of stories reported by ABC journalists and viewpoints aired on network programs.
ABC also cited disagreements involving “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The View.” The network has challenged FCC efforts to reconsider whether certain political interviews on “The View” qualify for a news-program exemption from equal-time rules.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction and temporary restraining order. Both would prevent the FCC from advancing or threatening action tied to the early applications while the case proceeds.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has defended the agency’s approach. He has said broadcasters receive access to public airwaves and must meet public-interest obligations.
Carr has also denied that the agency singled out Disney. In correspondence with lawmakers, he noted that the FCC has considered early renewals involving other broadcasters.
Houston’s KTRK-TV among affected stations
The proceeding directly affects KTRK-TV, ABC’s owned-and-operated station in Houston. The other stations serve Fresno, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Durham and Philadelphia.
FCC records show that the licenses remain active while the agency considers their renewal. Therefore, the lawsuit does not immediately remove any station from the air.
Still, the case carries significant implications for Houston viewers and broadcasters nationwide. A ruling could help define how far federal regulators may go when reviewing licenses held by news organizations.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the commission’s only Democrat, supported the legal challenge. She accused the agency of using possible license revocations to punish speech disliked by the administration. The FCC did not immediately provide a new response to the lawsuit.
The court will now consider whether the early review may continue. Houston residents can follow updates from KTRK-TV, the FCC and the federal court as the case develops.