ABC launches viewer campaign to counter FCC license challenges

The campaign, which includes spots airing during The View and digital advertisements, frames the regulatory scrutiny as an attempt to influence editorial content. One spot directly challenges the FCC’s authority, telling viewers the agency wants to control who is permitted to appear on the show. This follows an April order requiring the network to undergo license reviews years ahead of the scheduled 2028 window.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr, appointed by President Donald Trump, maintains the reviews are a response to an investigation into Disney’s diversity policies. Carr has stated that if the network failed to operate in the public interest or engaged in illegal discrimination, it will be held accountable. ABC has characterized these reviews as unconstitutional and a violation of its First Amendment rights. The dispute stems from a broader pattern of tension between the network and the administration, including Trump’s public calls to revoke licenses for programs he deems unfair or critical of his presidency.