ABC and Disney Sue FCC Over Broadcast License Review

Why it matters locally: The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for the regulation of broadcast licenses nationwide, potentially impacting the operations of ABC affiliates, such as WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, which serve Pennsylvania viewers.

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Washington D.C. — ABC and its parent company, Disney, initiated legal action against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday. The lawsuit aims to prevent an early review of the broadcast licenses held by ABC affiliates. The action specifically challenges FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr's efforts to scrutinize these licenses, including that of KGO-TV, an ABC affiliate in San Francisco. Carr has advocated for the FCC to determine whether the licenses serve the public interest, citing concerns over Disney's content. ABC's complaint, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, argues that Carr's actions represent a breach of the First Amendment. The company asserts that the FCC's mandate permits license challenges only at the time of renewal, not before. Traditionally, broadcast licenses come up for renewal every eight years. The current licenses for the ABC stations in question are not scheduled for renewal until 2026. The lawsuit contends that Carr's push for an early review constitutes an attempt to use the regulatory process to influence programming content. Disney acquired ABC in 1996. The current dispute centers on the regulatory authority of the FCC regarding broadcast television licenses.