Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

FCC Opens 50-Year Review of ABC Licenses, ABC Claims Retaliation

8/1/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

FCC ordered an early review of eight ABC local TV licenses, the first such action in 50 years.
ABC submitted a 109-page petition saying the review retaliates against coverage disliked by President Donald Trump.
Over 150,000 public comments were filed, with more than 95% supporting ABC’s renewals.
Lawmakers Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi urged the FCC to drop the review.

History

Historical Context

Congress created the FCC in the 1934 Communications Act to manage scarce broadcast spectrum. In 1969 the Supreme Court, with Justice Byron White writing, upheld the FCC’s Fairness Doctrine in Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC, mandating airtime for opposing views. The doctrine survived until 1987 and its related rules ended in 2000, shaping today’s 2024 ABC license review.

1 of 2

Story summary

FCC ordered an early review of eight ABC local TV licenses, the first such action in 50 years.
ABC submitted a 109-page petition saying the review retaliates against coverage disliked by President Donald Trump.
Over 150,000 public comments were filed, with more than 95% supporting ABC’s renewals.
Lawmakers Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi urged the FCC to drop the review.

1 / 2