The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ordered Disney to file broadcast license renewals ahead of schedule. The order comes as the FCC weighed opening a review into Disney’s licenses.
The order reads, “The FCC has been investigating The Walt Disney Company, its American Broadcasting Company, and its subsidiaries (collectively, ‘Disney’s ABC’) for compliance with its obligations as a licensed broadcaster,” Specifically, the FCC has been investigating Disney’s ABC stations for possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and the FCC’s rules, including the agency’s prohibition on unlawful discrimination.”
“The FCC determines that calling in Disney’s ABC licenses for early renewal, at this time, under the Communications Act’s public interest standard2 is essential within the meaning of agency regulations,” the order adds. “Therefore, Disney’s ABC is hereby directed to file license renewals for all of their licensed TV stations within 30 days–in other words, by May 28, 2026.”
Eight licensed TV stations are involved in the order, including those in California, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Disney confirmed that it received the FCC’s letter in a statement to NBC News. “ABC and its stations have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public‑interest programming,” a company spokesperson said, adding, “We are confident that record demonstrates our continued qualifications as licensees under the Communications Act and the First Amendment and are prepared to show that through the appropriate legal channels.”
The FCC previously launched an investigation into Disney and its ABC television network over concerns that the company was engaging in discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.
