Disney sues FCC over ‘retaliatory campaign against ABC,’ seeks to block early renewal proceedings

Disney sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday, seeking to block the agency’s early broadcast license renewal proceedings for ABC stations in a lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called for early renewal of eight ABC-owned stations' licenses in April.  The Disney-owned ABC stations' licenses were originally scheduled to be renewed between 2028 and 2031, but the FCC expedited the process amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.