Disney & ABC File Lawsuit to Block the FCC’s License Review

The Walt Disney Company, ABC and eight ABC-owned television stations is reportedly suing the Federal Communications Commission this week to block an early broadcast license renewal process ordered by the agency. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday this week, is asking for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. Disney and ABC argue the FCC’s action is political retaliation for the network’s programming and alleged criticism of President Donald Trump. The FCC ordered the eight stations to seek renewal years before their licenses were set to expire. The licenses were previously scheduled for renewal between 2028 and 2031. ABC said the agency gave the stations 30 days to prepare applications that normally take months to complete. The case follows separate FCC scrutiny of Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies and ABC’s daytime program The View. The agency is examining whether The View qualifies as a bona fide news program, a status that can exempt a broadcast show from equal-opportunity rules involving political candidates. ABC has long treated The View as a news interview program for FCC purposes. The network has warned that...