Disney Files ABC License Renewals Under Protest as FCC Chair Vows Probe into DEI Practices
The Walt Disney Company on Thursday filed applications for the renewal of broadcast licenses for eight of its ABC-owned stations, doing so “under protest in response to an unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional order” from the Federal Communications Commission. The move escalates a regulatory clash that began last year when the FCC launched an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Early Renewal Order and Regulatory Timeline
In late April, the FCC ordered an early review of the licenses for the eight Disney-owned ABC stations, originally scheduled for renewal between 2028 and 2031. Disney had until Thursday to submit the filings. The company said in its submissions that the FCC’s demand was premature and legally unsound.
The FCC, the federal agency that regulates the media and telecommunications industry, began investigating Disney and other media companies last March over possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and the agency’s rules prohibiting unlawful discrimination. In April, the FCC determined further action was needed.
FCC Chair Defends Investigation
In a Friday interview on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the agency’s focus remains on its investigation into Disney’s DEI practices, and that moving up the license renewal deadline is unrelated to First Amendment matters. “I understand Disney wants to make this about a lot of other things, and their PR machine has been in high gear, but we’ve been very clear about what this is: concerns about invidious forms of DEI discrimination,” Carr told CNBC.
Carr said the next step, as soon as Friday, will be for the FCC to issue a public notice and begin a period during which the public can petition to deny the renewal of Disney’s licenses, opening the door for Disney to file an opposition. “We have been signaling for a long time that we want Disney to take seriously our investigation, and it was only after we felt like — again, we provided them notice now that we thought their responses were disingenuous, that they were incomplete, that they were frankly nonresponsive to a number of questions — that we thought it was important to take this next step in our investigation to make sure that they’re being fully responsive to our proceedings,” Carr said.
When asked whether the FCC could actually revoke ABC’s licenses, Carr said the agency will “follow the facts and the law wherever they go.”
Political Context and Timing
The early review came shortly after ABC faced renewed political backlash from President Donald Trump following comments made by comedian Jimmy Kimmel during his late-night TV show that airs on the broadcast network. The timing raised questions about the motives behind the FCC’s accelerated action.
Brendan Carr, a commissioner at the FCC, spoke during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee oversight hearing in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
Market Context
- USD/RUB: 71.02 (change: -0.35)
- EUR/RUB: 82.64 (change: -1.05)
- Bitcoin: $73,278 (24-hour change: -0.2%)
- Crude oil: approximately $72 per barrel (estimated)