Disney and ABC filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday, seeking to block an order requiring eight ABC-owned television stations to renew their broadcast licences ahead of schedule.
The companies argue that the move is part of a retaliatory campaign by President Donald Trump’s administration over ABC’s programming and editorial content.
In April, the FCC directed eight television stations owned and operated by Disney to submit their licence renewal applications earlier than normally required. The decision came while the regulator was examining ABC’s daytime programme The View and Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
All eight stations affected by the order are parties to the lawsuit, according to NBC News.
The legal challenge also points to criticism directed at ABC by Trump and the White House, including controversy surrounding a joke by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel about first lady Melania Trump.
The lawsuit cites Trump’s social media comments criticising late-night television hosts for being overwhelmingly negative towards him and questioning whether broadcasters should have their licences revoked.
Disney and ABC contend that the administration, acting through the FCC, has targeted the network because it objects to what ABC broadcasts, describing the regulatory actions as an escalating campaign that began early in Trump’s current administration.
The lawsuit also refers to events in September 2025, when Disney temporarily removed Kimmel from the air following pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. The controversy followed remarks by Kimmel about the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the Republican response to the killing.
Disney has characterised the FCC’s actions as an “existential threat”, arguing that government pressure over broadcast content poses fundamental concerns for the network and its stations.