Walt Disney Co. is trying to stop the Federal Communications Commission before a regulatory fight over eight ABC stations reaches its most consequential stage, asking a federal judge to halt unusually early license-renewal proceedings that Disney says have become a vehicle for punishing the network’s speech.
Disney and ABC filed suit Tuesday in US District Court in Washington, seeking a temporary restraining order that would prevent the FCC from advancing the renewals or scheduling a hearing, Reuters reports. The FCC’s final reply deadline expired August 5, meaning the proceeding has moved beyond its formal pleading cycle.
The dispute covers eight Disney-owned stations, including WABC-TV in New York, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, WLS-TV in Chicago, and stations in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Houston, Durham, and Fresno. Their licenses ordinarily would not have entered renewal proceedings until 2028 or later.
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Disney alleges the accelerated process is designed to coerce and retaliate against “a network that refuses to bow to the administration’s demands.” The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration’s repeated criticism of ABC’s journalism and programming turned the FCC’s licensing authority into a First Amendment issue.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered the early renewals on April 28, one day after President Donald Trump urged ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, according to Reuters. Reuters reported that the FCC had not used an early-review process like this in more than 50 years.
The FCC presents a different rationale. Its May notice said the accelerated renewals were necessary for an investigation into whether Disney’s ABC stations violated federal nondiscrimination requirements through employment practices involving race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
Carr has said that investigation began in March 2025. In a May letter, he stressed that the allegations “do not represent FCC conclusions or determinations” and that Disney was providing evidence while the commission reserved judgment.
The conflict has also expanded beyond the station renewals. Reuters earlier report said the FCC is separately examining whether ABC’s The View should remain exempt from rules requiring equal opportunities for political candidates. ABC has argued that effort is also politically motivated.
Disney shares were up about 0.6% shortly after the market opened Tuesday.
