Disney Airs Campaign Against FCC Review of 8 ABC Licenses and 'The View'
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 22
Disney Airs Campaign Against FCC Review of 8 ABC Licenses and 'The View'
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 22
Summary
ABC began running on-air spots Monday urging viewers to file FCC comments, casting the agency’s scrutiny of its stations and “The View” as an attempt to chill speech critical of President Trump.
Eight ABC station licenses were pulled into an unusually early review in April, years before their 2028-2031 renewal window, while FCC Chair Brendan Carr also questioned whether “The View” should keep its 2002 news-program exemption.
The ads use Barbara Walters’ voice and a QR code linking directly to the FCC filing system, while separate market-specific spots defend local stations including Los Angeles outlet KABC.
Disney’s harder public stance contrasts with earlier concessions to Trump, including a $15 million ABC settlement and the brief removal of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, both of which triggered backlash from journalists, Hollywood and viewers.