ABC sues U.S. broadcast regulator over early licence reviews, calling it an 'existential threat'

Further escalating its battle with the Trump administration, ABC on Tuesday took the rare step of suing the Federal Communications Commission on First Amendment grounds, saying the agency's demand for early review of broadcast licences posed an "existential threat" to its operations.

Led by Trump ally Brendan Carr, the FCC in April ordered an early review of all eight ABC licenses years before they are set to expire

ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's Federal Communications Commission, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights.

Walt Disney-owned ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, saying the agency's demand for early review of broadcast licenses posed an 'existential threat' to its operations.

Walt Disney-owned ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, saying the agency's demand for early review of broadcast licenses posed an 'existential threat' to its operations.

Disney’s ABC Sues FCC Over Broadcast License Challenge  WSJ

August 18, 2026 12:16 PM ET Disney’s ABC filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, claiming the agency’s recent review into the company is part of a “retaliatory campaign.”The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that the Trump administration’s “

Further escalating its battle with the Trump administration, ABC on Tuesday took the rare step of suing the Federal Communications Commission on First Amendment grounds, saying the agency’s demand for early review of broadcast licences posed an “existential threat” to its operations.

ABC accused the Trump Administration of waging "a retaliatory campaign" because it doesn't like what the network broadcasts.

ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights

ABC sues FCC over challenge to its broadcast licenses, saying actions present 'existential threat'  AP News

Disney, ABC sue FCC over threats to broadcast licenses  Reuters

Disney sues FCC over challenge to broadcast licenses, claiming retaliation over ‘Jimmy Kimmel’  Toronto Star

Disney and ABC on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), arguing that the Trump administration is attempting to censor journalists by urging the agency to conduct an early review of its broadcasting licenses. The lawsuit alleges the administration waged a “retaliatory campaign” on ABC and encouraged

ABC had accused the agency of a brazen attempt to chill its constitutionally protected free speech — and by extension, that of every media outlet in the country.

Disney Sues FCC Over Challenge To Broadcast Licenses, Claims Retaliation Over 'Jimmy Kimmel'  HuffPost

Disney has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights

“Again and again, the Administration has attacked ABC’s speech — the stories its journalists report and the viewpoints its network programs air,” the suit says.

The lawsuit seeks to halt an early license renewal process ABC calls a retaliatory campaign against its news coverage and programming

The FCC called the Disney-owned network's eight broadcast licenses in for an early renewal earlier this year and has challenged 'The View.'

Disney says the Trump administration “has attacked ABC’s speech — the stories its journalists report and the viewpoints its network programs air.”

The network asked a court to stop the agency from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air and accused the F.C.C. of violating its First Amendment rights.