Story perspectives

ABC Urges Support as FCC Probes “The View” Equal-Time

6/22/2026

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Summary

ABC Defends Free Speech

ABC aired 20-second ads online urging viewers to support the network and “The View” during the FCC review.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a U.S. President Donald Trump appointee, is probing equal-time rules after the show featured Rep. James Talarico but not Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
ABC says FCC actions threaten free speech as the commission considers classifying “The View” as a “bona fide news program” exempt from the equal-time rule.

Summary

ABC Presses FCC

ABC has aired appeals urging viewers to pressure the FCC, running on Disney stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston and Fresno.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s probe of “The View” adds to his investigations of NBCUniversal, NPR, PBS and CBS News.
The dispute occurs in President Donald Trump’s second term after his administration sued outlets and Disney settled a $15 million lawsuit over a 2024 “This Week” interview, while FCC spokeswoman Katie Gorscak declined comment.

Summary

ABC Challenges FCC

ABC filed its renewal applications under protest, calling the FCC’s early order a demonstration of power.
The FCC moved the deadline from 2028 to 2026, citing Disney’s DEI policies.
Vice President JD Vance appeared on The View before the probe, showing the show still hosts senior guests.
U.S. President Donald Trump called for Jimmy Kimmel’s firing, a remark referenced in the FCC’s review of Disney’s content.

Summary

ABC Seeks Comments

Disney's ABC stations aired ads on Monday urging comments by July 29 to keep licenses.
A WABC New York spot notes the station’s 75-year community service.
Disney’s filings separate the license renewal from the “The View” probe and prepare for court.
Disney warns Trump-aligned groups will flood the FCC portal, prompting a campaign that frames the action as a First Amendment threat.

History

Historical Context

The Telecommunications Act of 1996, signed by President Bill Clinton on February 8 1996, amended the 1934 Communications Act and expanded the FCC’s licensing power, a change that helped cut the number of major media owners from about 50 in 1983 to ten by 1996. ABC and Disney now invoke that legacy as they urge the FCC in the ‘The View’ equal-time probe.

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ABC Defends Free Speech

ABC aired 20-second ads online urging viewers to support the network and “The View” during the FCC review.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a U.S. President Donald Trump appointee, is probing equal-time rules after the show featured Rep. James Talarico but not Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
ABC says FCC actions threaten free speech as the commission considers classifying “The View” as a “bona fide news program” exempt from the equal-time rule.

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