FCC Challenges Disney Over ‘The View’ and Broadcast Licenses

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sharply criticized Disney as tensions continue between the company and regulators. This conflict has emerged amidst FCC inquiries into ‘The View’ and ABC’s broadcast licenses. Brendan Carr, the FCC Chair appointed by former President Trump, announced in February the investigation into whether ‘The View’ violated equal-time rules after James Talarico, a Democratic candidate in Texas’s U.S. Senate race, appeared on the show.

‘The View’, first launched in 1997, includes a panel of women discussing topics with politicians and celebrities. In response to the FCC’s actions, ABC has initiated a campaign urging audiences to support free speech by opposing the FCC’s interventions. ABC’s television spots prompt viewers to petition the FCC, outlining their stance that viewers should decide their preferences for programming.

A promotional voice-over mentions, ‘The View has welcomed your favorite guests and covered important issues for almost 30 years. Now the FCC wants to regulate who can appear on our show. Use your voice, viewers. Scan the QR code by July 6.’

Regarding the campaign from ABC, the FCC remarked, ‘Disney seeks FCC to recognize ‘The View’ as a ‘bona fide news program’. However, they are misleading viewers about legal aspects in their campaign.’ A spokesperson from ‘The View’ did not comment immediately on the matter.

According to current FCC regulations, ‘bona fide’ news programs are not bound by equal-time laws that mandate broadcasters provide balanced access to political candidates. Carr expressed on Monday, via X, his opinion that categorizing ‘The View’ as a ‘bona fide news program’ would release them from these equal-time obligations established decades earlier. Carr questioned, ‘Is ‘The View’ truly qualified as news?’

ABC’s argument submitted to the FCC in May asserts that ‘The View’ has been classified under an exception to the equal-time regulations over twenty years ago. The filing, representing KTRK-TV, ABC’s station in Houston, included input from network lawyers saying formal requests were submitted to determine if ‘The View’ falls under the exemption.

The network claims, ‘There has been no disagreement that ‘The View’ qualifies as a bona fide news show.’ ABC further argued in a 52-page submission, ‘Dislike for certain perspectives on ‘The View’ doesn’t justify regulatory action against those opinions.’

In April, the FCC instructed Disney’s television stations to submit broadcast license renewals in advance amid disagreements between the White House and ABC, fueled by a joke about Melania Trump by host Jimmy Kimmel. Carr clarified that the license review is driven by the FCC’s investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, asserting it is unrelated to matters of speech.