FCC eyes bold license move against Disney/ABC amid Kimmel fallout

The FCC, led by Trump-aligned chair Brendan Carr, is preparing to call in Disney/ABC’s eight owned station licenses for early renewal, a rare step that could trigger a lengthy hearing and a First Amendment clash with ABC. The move, described to CNN via a Semafor report, appears tied to political pressure over Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about Melania Trump, though Disney has publicly defended Kimmel. The action would escalate tensions between regulators and a major network, and is tied to ongoing DEI-related inquiries and questions about equal-time rules. If filed, the order would be unprecedented and subject to significant legal challenge.