Full Breakdown
Disney Seeks FCC Exemption for “The View” as a Bona Fide News Interview Program
5/24/2026, 8:55:49 PM
Petition to Redefine “The View” as Bona Fide News
On May 7 2026 Disney, on behalf of its Houston ABC affiliate KTRK-TV and the ABC network, filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking that the daytime talk show “The View” be classified as a *bona fide news interview program*. The classification would exempt the program from the statutory “equal-time” requirement that obliges broadcast stations to provide comparable airtime to all political candidates.
Regulatory Background: The 1934 Equal-Time Provision
The equal-time rule, embedded in the Communications Act of 1934, was created to prevent broadcasters from giving free airtime to favored candidates and to promote voter access to information. The rule applies to non-news programming; news programs receive an exemption under Section 315 of the Act. In 2002 the FCC granted “The View” a news-exemption, a status Disney argues remains valid.
Key Stakeholders
- Disney/ABC – Owner of “The View” and petitioner.
- KTRK-TV – Houston ABC affiliate named in the filing.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr – Issuer of the public notice and commentator on case law.
- “The View” hosts – Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Ana Navarro.
- Critics – Media Research Center President David Bozell and other commentators questioning the news claim.
- Political candidates – Notably Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, whose February 2026 appearance triggered the FCC’s earlier probe.
Official Statements & Responses
Disney’s filing asserts that “The View” meets the FCC’s news-interview criteria, citing its format and guest selection as driven by newsworthiness rather than partisan intent. The petition also argues that rescinding the exemption would chill protected speech and that the 2002 exemption “remains valid.”
FCC Chair Brendan Carr responded that “under FCC case law, TV shows do not qualify as ‘bona fide news’ if their decisions are based on partisan purposes, such as an intention to advance or harm an individual’s candidacy.” He added that the law “does not prohibit anyone from having any candidate appear on any show; rather, Congress intended it to empower voters with more information and encourage more speech.” The FCC announced a public comment period on May 22 2026, inviting input on whether the program still qualifies as news.
Criticism & Opposition
Media Research Center President David Bozell dismissed Disney’s claim as “outrageous,” stating, “The only thing ‘bona fide’ about ‘The View’ is the cackling.” Other observers highlighted the show’s opinion-driven, celebrity-centric style as inconsistent with traditional news programs such as *Meet the Press* or *Face the Nation*.
Public Comment Process and Timeline
The FCC’s Media Bureau issued Public Notice DA 26-517 on May 22 2026. Comments are accepted electronically via the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) through June 22, with reply comments due July 6. The agency has not set a date for a final declaratory ruling.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ in emphasis: some focus on Disney’s legal arguments and the 2002 exemption, while others foreground criticism of the show’s news credentials. No definitive FCC determination has been issued, leaving the outcome and its impact on other daytime programs uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Disney argues that The View qualifies as ‘bona fide news’ under the law, comparing itself to Meet The Press or Face The Nation,” — Disney filing
- “Under FCC case law, tv shows do not qualify as ‘bona fide news’ if their decisions are based on partisan purposes, such as an intention to advance or harm an individual’s candidacy,” — Brendan Carr, FCC Chair
- “The only thing ‘bona fide’ about “The View” is the cackling.” — David Bozell, Media Research Center President
- “The FCC welcomes your views.” — Brendan Carr, FCC Chair
- “does not prohibit anyone from having any candidate appear on any show. Rather, Congress intended it to empower voters with more information and encourage more speech.” — Brendan Carr, FCC Chair
- “been broadcasting under a bona fide news exemption granted to it more than 20 years ago,” — Disney filing
What’s Next
The FCC will evaluate the public submissions and issue a declaratory ruling later this year. A decision to retain or revoke the exemption could reshape how the commission applies the equal-time rule to other opinion-driven or daytime programs.
