# ABC License Renewal Threats Getting Serious **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [April 29, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635 "2026-04-29T00:41:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/1 "2026-04-29T00:41:18Z")
[FCC orders early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses](https://abc7ny.com/post/fcc-orders-early-review-abcs-broadcast-licenses/18989048/) > [@](#): > > The order says, “The FCC has been investigating The Walt Disney Company, its American Broadcasting Company, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Disney’s ABC”) for compliance with its obligations as a licensed broadcaster. Specifically, the FCC has been investigating Disney’s ABC stations for possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and the FCC’s rules, including the agency’s prohibition on unlawful discrimination. While Disney’s ABC has purported to respond to two FCC Letters of Inquiry Federal Communications Commission DA 26-416 2 (LOIs) as part of this investigation, the FCC has determined that additional actions are appropriate at this time.” > > The filing says that, “Disney’s ABC is hereby directed to file license renewals for all of their licensed TV stations within 30 days–in other words, by May 28, 2026.” The stations concerned are WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. While other ABC stations aren’t directly affected, I doubt ABC would be economically viable without these flagships. I think today’s action is too critical for me to just add it as one more “compendium of horrors” post. Without real media capture, the Trump project is likely to fail. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/2 "2026-04-29T00:57:09Z")
And it’s of course no coincidence that this comes as he First Lady rails against Jimmy Kimmel, who hosts a tv talk show on ABC. > **[FCC orders review of ABC licenses after Jimmy Kimmel’s Melania Trump joke](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/28/fcc-abc-jimmy-kimmel)** > > Eight local broadcasting licenses under review after White House launched attack on late-night host over comment I predict that Kimmel’s announced firing is imminent. Yes, it really is that petty. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/3 "2026-04-29T01:04:57Z")
First amendment, schmirst amendment. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/4 "2026-04-29T01:07:54Z")
And the way that they’re violating the “prohibition on discrimination” is by being woke and hiring minorities, which discriminates against white men. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/5 "2026-04-29T01:12:08Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Yes, it really is that petty. Maybe we are just looking at a different side of the same elephant. But it isn’t petty to me. Without capturing mainstream media, dictators cannot stay in power for long. Bari Weiss is working on CBS. Paramount is about to get CNN. That leaves ABC and NBC as the biggest legacy networks they need to control. I realize that the internet means that capturing the legacy outlets I name doesn’t guarantee long life for the incumbent regime. Victor Orban knows all about it. The internet makes it harder for dictators to kill free media. But if they could just get most of the outlets to be pro-Trump, that’s big. Kimmel of course is the kind of excuse they always were going to find. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/6 "2026-04-29T14:58:34Z")
Disney already went through this – and they lost so many streaming subscribers that they immediately reversed their decision. I think Trump is a lot weaker, politically, now than at that time before, so I think Disney is more likely to ignore these threats. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/7 "2026-04-29T22:39:07Z")
Disney would likely win if they fight, the real question is will they? > **[ABC can beat Trump FCC's license threat if owner Disney is willing to fight](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/abc-can-beat-trump-fccs-license-threat-if-owner-disney-is-willing-to-fight/)** > > Broadcast license renewals are "all but automatic" due to 1996 change in US law. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/8 "2026-04-29T22:44:38Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Bari Weiss is working on CBS. > > Paramount is about to get CNN. > > That leaves ABC and NBC as the biggest legacy networks they need to control. Paramount Skydance, owner of CBS, is a tiny company compared to Comcast (owner of NBC Universal) or Disney (owner of ABC). Both of the latter can more easily shake off Trump’s threats. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/9 "2026-04-29T22:58:57Z")
Disney suspended Kimmel last year. Over bullshit. Their bravery is suspect. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/10 "2026-04-29T23:02:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Paramount Skydance, owner of CBS, is a tiny company compared to Comcast (owner of NBC Universal) or Disney (owner of ABC). Both of the latter can more easily shake off Trump’s threats. Trump is trying to do in a few years something that usually takes would-be dictators a few decades. At Donald’s age, he doesn’t have the time Putin and Erdoğan had. So maybe legacy media will manage to shake off most of Trump’s threats until such time as a Democratic president rescues them. I deny that it will be easy. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/11 "2026-05-01T01:03:57Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Their bravery is suspect. What they demonstrated is that they are more afraid of lost subscriptions than they are of the Trump administration, because they reinstated Kimmel as soon as they realized the cost of getting rid of him. Scared people fight too; a cornered rat isn’t dangerous because it’s brave. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/12 "2026-05-11T22:57:20Z")
A note: tonight’s episode of Stephen Colbert’s _The Late Show_ will feature all the current late-night hosts. Also, ABC’s Kimmel is airing a rerun on Colbert’s last night, 5/21, so as not to take viewers away from Colbert: > **[Stephen Colbert’s Final Weeks: David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers,...](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/stephen-colbert-letterman-kimmel-meyers-fallon-late-show-end-1236741092/)** > > Stephen Colbert will host David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon and John Oliver on 'The Late Show' as it comes to a close on CBS. ^ May be paywalled, so here’s The Hill: [https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5873038-jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colber-late-show-cbs-abc/](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5873038-jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colber-late-show-cbs-abc/) I would assume that ABC had to okay the use of a rerun, given that the choice could negatively affect their bottom line. One could infer that they are standing behind Kimmel. (Also, I’m guessing the guys may have a thing or two to say tonight about the ABC license renewal threats from Donald & Co…) ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/13 "2026-05-12T11:08:24Z")
Note that Disney/ABC is fighting this time > **[ABC refuses to capitulate to Trump admin, fights FCC probe into The View](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/05/abc-fights-trump-fccs-attempt-to-control-content-of-broadcast-tv-shows/)** > > FCC chair hasn't been able to bully ABC and owner Disney into submission. And they are using some experienced lawyers: > The filing for ABC was submitted by attorney Paul Clement, who served as US solicitor general under President George W. Bush; and Jennifer Tatel, who was an FCC lawyer during the Obama administration and for part of Trump’s first term. Tatel was promoted to acting general counsel in 2017 by then-FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who [said](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-346211A1.pdf) she “is known for her legal acumen, FCC expertise, and careful judgment.” Brian ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/14 "2026-05-12T11:36:09Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Note that Disney/ABC is fighting this time > > [ABC refuses to capitulate to Trump admin, fights FCC probe into The View - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/05/abc-fights-trump-fccs-attempt-to-control-content-of-broadcast-tv-shows/) > > And they are using some experienced lawyers: That might not matter. Last Sunday’s John Oliver show featured a potentially very relevant main story on the Trump regime’s extraordinary use of the Supreme Court “shadow docket”, essentially a shortcut to getting a quick and allegedly “interim” ruling in emergency situations, which SCOTUS has generally been happy to go along with due to the Trumpist majority. These “interim” rulings are usually issued without explanation and may persist for years while the final ruling slowly wends its way through the normal processes. What this means in this situation is that even if ABC wins their case in a lower court, Trump may use this trick once again to overturn it. The only solution in the foreseeable future is for Congress to end this corruption at the Supreme Court, which might be possible after the mid-terms. Right now the Trump regime in effect substantially controls all three branches of government. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/15 "2026-08-18T17:49:06Z")
Disney takes a swing: > **[Disney and ABC sue FCC, seeking to stop early license renewal process](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/disney-abc-sue-fcc-trump-administration-first-amendment/3976836/)** > > In April, the FCC ordered Disney’s eight owned-and-operated television stations to file their broadcast license renewals ahead of schedule. > **[Live updates: Disney sues Trump administration's FCC over challenge to...](https://apnews.com/live/trump-news-tariffs-updates-08-18-2026?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share)** > > Disney filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/16 "2026-08-18T18:27:35Z")
I [posted about this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3641) in another thread. I completely overlooked this one when I did. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/17 "2026-08-18T18:38:08Z")
We need our own print out girl to help us keep track of all the Trump scandal threads. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/18 "2026-08-19T14:42:43Z")
Or just his scandals and illegal activity. Gonna need a Terabyte or four. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/19 "2026-08-19T17:19:15Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Disney takes a swing: Mickey Mouse’s lawyers vs. Trump’s “Mickey Mouse” lawyers. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635/20 "2026-08-19T17:28:01Z")
So who are folks betting on? I listened to the head of the FCC on NPR this morning, and anything more transparently non-responsive to the charges in the lawsuit I find it hard to imagine. I, of course, am on Disney’s side in this, as much as I hate their cultural influence outside of politics. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635.md?page=2)