The FCC Is About To Target Disney-Owned Local TV Affiliates

BusinessMediaThe FCC Is About To Target Disney-Owned Local TV AffiliatesByRick Ellis,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. The global media business, from streaming to linear TVFollow AuthorApr 28, 2026, 02:28pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Getty ImagesSeveral news outlets are reporting that the FCC is preparing to order an early review of Disney’s eight ABC station licenses.On Tuesday morning, Semafor broke the news about the move, which could be officially announced this week.The FCC licenses ABC’s TV stations across the country to broadcast their programming over publicly owned airwaves. And it’s extremely unusual for the FCC to do a group of early reviews, especially when all of them are owned by the same media company:The Disney licenses in question, for eight ABC owned-and-operated stations in cities like NYC and Chicago, aren't due to be renewed for years. The early renewal order would trigger a lengthy hearing process, with many opportunities for stations to beat back the Trump administration's pressure. But stations have to be willing to defend themselves, which costs money and time.Carr must know that if he sends Disney these early-renewal papers, it will be viewed as retaliation for airing Kimmel's show and resisting Trump's pressure. But my source familiar with the matter said the FCC will assert that the license review stems from an ongoing FCC probe into Disney's DEI practices. FCC Head Carr Threatened ABC In March Over DEI IssuesAnd in fact, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has threatened Disney’s licenses before when he announced on March 28th that he had asked the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to open an investigation into Disney & ABC:In recent years, Disney made DEI a key priority for the company’s businesses and embedded explicit race- and gender-based criteria...