Disney, ABC sue FCC over broadcast license review

Disney and its ABC unit have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission, seeking to prevent an early review of broadcast licenses for eight ABC stations. The companies accuse the Trump administration of attempting to punish the network for its content and for refusing to air a prime-time speech on elections.

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the FCC was seeking to coerce and retaliate against "a network that refuses to bow to the administration's demands."

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, Disney argued that the FCC is using its regulatory power to retaliate against a network that "refuses to bow to the administration's demands." The company called the FCC's actions an "extraordinary assault on free speech" and a violation of the First Amendment.

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the administration is violating the company's First Amendment free speech rights, saying that the FCC "is using its regulatory power to retaliate against (Disney and ABC) for programming and editorial decisions the administration dislikes."

The FCC, however, stated that the reviews stemmed from a year-long investigation into whether Disney's diversity policies amounted to unlawful discrimination, a claim the company denies. FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered the reviews in April, despite the stations' license renewals not being scheduled for consideration until October 2028. Carr suggested Disney might be nervous about the investigation's findings but maintained no final decisions had been made.

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Disney seems to be a little nervous about what the record's showing.

U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan has ordered both parties to propose a schedule for considering the request for a temporary restraining order. The lawsuit represents a significant test of free speech rights for media outlets.

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We haven't made a decision about when we're making a decision.