FCC orders ABC stations into early license renewal review
The FCC has ordered eight Disney-owned ABC stations to apply for early renewal of their broadcast licenses by May 28. The order is reportedly connected to an investigation into a joke made by ABC host Jimmy Kimmel about Melania Trump.
Key Takeaways
- Eight Disney-owned ABC stations must apply for early license renewal by May 28.
- The FCC order cites an investigation connected to a Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump.
- The action affects Disney’s broadcast TV assets, not its streaming platforms.
- The article does not say how long the FCC investigation will last or what outcome is expected.
Why It Matters
This is an immediate regulatory issue for Disney’s broadcast portfolio: eight ABC stations face an early renewal filing deadline by May 28. It also shows how content controversy can spill into station-level licensing, even when the underlying issue involves a late-night joke rather than programming economics. For the broader video ecosystem, it’s a reminder that broadcast distribution still carries direct federal oversight that streaming-only services do not. Watch for the FCC’s next public step in the investigation and any filing details tied to the eight ABC stations.
Read full article at variety.com