Disney asks US court to block FCC review of eight ABC stations

Walt Disney asked a US federal judge on October 6 to block an early review by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) targeting the broadcast licences of eight ABC-owned television stations. Disney argued in court that the administration of US President Donald Trump is attempting to censor and penalise the broadcaster for its editorial coverage.

The legal action, filed in August, challenges an unprecedented regulatory move. The FCC had not ordered an early licence review in more than 50 years before FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ordered the review in April. The licences for the eight stations, located in major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, were not scheduled to expire until between 2028 and 2031.

During a two-hour hearing before US District Judge Loren AliKhan, Disney attorney Beth Wilkinson said that federal pressure has already forced editorial changes at the network. Disney highlighted an instance on July 16, when ABC chose not to broadcast live a speech by Trump challenging US election security. The FCC ordered the early review one day after Trump publicly demanded ABC fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

Government attorney Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel argued that Disney would retain its licences throughout administrative proceedings and judicial reviews, contending the dispute stemmed from document production in an inquiry launched in March 2025 into Disney's diversity practices. The FCC, which must provide 48 hours notice before sending licences to a public hearing, is also investigating ABC daytime talk show The View over equal opportunity rules for political candidates.