The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether to launch a review of broadcast television licenses held by Disney, the parent company of the ABC network, according to reports that cite people with knowledge of the situation. The potential action follows heightened scrutiny from the White House over comments made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
Agency Chair Brendan Carr has previously told Reuters that the FCC could speed up reviews of licenses owned by broadcast stations as he steps up inquiries into news media firms and faces pressure from President Donald Trump. Carr has noted the agency is conducting a number of investigations into broadcasters, naming NBC, ABC, PBS and National Public Radio among those under scrutiny.
The process under consideration is known as an early license review. Reports indicate the Commission may ultimately decide not to initiate that process, according to people familiar with the matter. Neither Disney nor the FCC provided an immediate response to requests for comment from Reuters.
Observers say the matter could increase pressure on Disney and ABC amid renewed criticism from President Trump. On Monday, Trump said Jimmy Kimmel should be dismissed by ABC and its parent, Disney, for remarks Kimmel made before a shooting that occurred at Saturday's White House correspondents' dinner. Kimmel responded on Monday, saying the line about Melania Trump - in which he quipped she had "a glow like an expectant widow" - referred to the age difference between the first lady and the president and was not intended as a "call to assassination."
In addition to reporting on developing regulatory and political pressure, the article included promotional commentary about investment tools. One such service evaluates Disney shares against thousands of other companies using more than 100 financial metrics and uses artificial intelligence to generate stock ideas, noting past performance examples such as Super Micro Computer (+185%) and AppLovin (+157%).
Context and next steps
- The FCC can decide whether to invoke an early license review; the reports suggest consideration is underway but not inevitable.
- Chair Carr has publicly signaled a willingness to speed up reviews and pursue investigations into multiple broadcasters.
- Disney and the FCC had not issued immediate comments in response to media inquiries, according to reporting.