Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

ABC Seeks FCC Exemption for “The View” Amid Enforcement Probe

5/9/2026

48 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

ABC petitioned the FCC for a ruling that “The View” remains exempt from equal-time rule.
ABC says the FCC’s demand the show prove news status is an overreach.
The FCC will review Disney’s claim the program is a news broadcast.
Chairman Brendan Carr announced enforcement after James Talarico appeared on the show Feb. 2.
ABC alleges the commission has not reviewed programs, a claim echoed by FCC member Anna M. Gomez.

History

Historical Context

In 1973 Pacifica’s WBAI aired George Carlin’s “Filthy Words” routine, prompting an FCC complaint that led to the 1978 Supreme Court case FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, decided 5-4 in favor of the commission’s authority to restrict indecent broadcast material. That precedent now underlies ABC’s petition to keep “The View” outside the equal-time rule as regulators reconsider primetime talk-show classifications.

1 of 2

Story summary

ABC petitioned the FCC for a ruling that “The View” remains exempt from equal-time rule.
ABC says the FCC’s demand the show prove news status is an overreach.
The FCC will review Disney’s claim the program is a news broadcast.
Chairman Brendan Carr announced enforcement after James Talarico appeared on the show Feb. 2.
ABC alleges the commission has not reviewed programs, a claim echoed by FCC member Anna M. Gomez.

1 / 2