Disney Sues FCC To Block Early ABC License Reviews Under Trump
On Tuesday morning, October 6, 2026, Disney and ABC asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., to block the FCC from moving up license reviews for ABC's owned stations.[1]
FCC Chair Brendan Carr moved to accelerate license reviews for all eight ABC-owned stations, years ahead of the normal renewal schedule.[1] Judge Loren L. AliKhan earlier ordered the FCC to pause the accelerated reviews until the court could hear Disney and ABC's challenge.[1]
Disney's lawsuit says the accelerated reviews are retaliatory and unlawfully chill the network's speech.[1] The company argues the move threatens both its editorial independence and its business model as it faces review years before normal renewals.[1]
Former FCC chair Mark Fowler filed a supporting statement that likened Carr's actions to censorship and called them unconstitutional.[1] Six of ABC's eight owned stations are in major U.S. media markets and are important to the network's bottom line, a point Disney emphasized at the hearing.[1] The court's decision could shape whether the FCC can fast-track renewals and how regulators interact with broadcasters going forward.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday morning, October 6, 2026, a federal court in Washington, D.C., is hearing Disney and ABC’s suit against the FCC.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr has moved to accelerate license reviews for all eight ABC-owned stations, years ahead of the normal renewal schedule.
- Judge Loren L. AliKhan previously ordered the FCC to pause the accelerated reviews until this hearing.
- Former FCC chair Mark Fowler submitted a supporting statement likening Carr’s actions to censorship and calling them unconstitutional.
- Six of ABC’s eight owned stations are in major U.S. media markets and are important to the network’s bottom line.
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