FCC Orders Early License Renewal Review for Disney-Owned ABC Stations Amid Ongoing DEI Investigation

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission has ordered Walt Disney Co. to file early renewal applications for the broadcast licenses of its eight ABC-owned television stations, accelerating a review originally scheduled for 2028–2031.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr directed Disney to submit the renewals by May 28, 2026. The order cites an ongoing investigation into whether Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies violate the Communications Act of 1934 and FCC rules prohibiting unlawful discrimination.

The agency has been examining Disney and ABC since at least March 2025 over concerns that the company’s DEI practices may conflict with federal equal employment opportunity regulations. The accelerated review comes one day after President Donald Trump publicly called for ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over his April 23 monologue joking that First Lady Melania Trump has “the glow of an expectant widow.”

Disney confirmed it received the FCC order and is complying. The company has not issued further public comment.

The move does not revoke licenses but subjects the stations to heightened scrutiny during the renewal process. License revocation is rare and requires a high evidentiary threshold, but the early review increases pressure on the network amid ongoing tensions with the Trump administration.

The FCC has stated the action is based solely on the DEI investigation and not on any specific broadcast content. Critics, including media advocacy groups, have called the timing politically motivated.

This escalation adds to broader scrutiny of major broadcasters under the current FCC leadership. No decision on the license renewals has been made.