The Walt Disney Company and ABC filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Federal Communications Commission to block an early license renewal process. The network asked a court to stop the agency from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air.
The legal action follows an order from the FCC requiring ABC to seek renewals for its TV station licenses between two and five years before they are set to expire. Disney and ABC say the early process is an attack by the Trump administration.
ABC claims the agency's investigation and early broadcast license renewals are part of a retaliatory campaign due to its programming, accusing the FCC of violating its First Amendment rights.
The agency has also launched probes into the company’s equal-time rules and DEI practices. These investigations follow criticism of President Trump by "The View" and Jimmy Kimmel.