Disney, ABC sue FCC over broadcast licence threat

Disney-owned ABC Television Network has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), accusing the US regulatory body of targeting the network in retaliation for its speech, according to a federal district court filing in Washington on Tuesday.

The lawsuit alleges that the FCC, under the administration of President Donald Trump, has been pressuring ABC TV stations to renew their broadcast licenses earlier than scheduled, a move the suit claims is part of a retaliatory campaign against the network. The administration, through the FCC, has demanded an early review of the stations' licenses, a move the suit deems an attempt to coerce and retaliate against ABC for its refusal to align with the administration's stance.

The dispute escalated after President Trump publicly criticized ABC, particularly its late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, for what he perceived as a significant amount of negative coverage. In response, the Trump administration threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of stations they perceived as being overwhelmingly negative towards the president.

The lawsuit, filed by Disney and ABC, states that the pressure has been steadily increasing, culminating in the threat to strip ABC of its broadcasting licenses. The FCC has demanded an unusually early review of the stations' licenses, which the suit argues is aimed at exerting control over the network.

Facing this threat, the plaintiffs have no option but to seek judicial redress, the suit claims. ABC and Disney are asking the court to issue a restraining order to prevent the FCC from taking any further action against the network's broadcasting licenses, which are not up for renewal until 2028.