FCC orders ABC to file early TV license renewals amid Jimmy Kimmel controversy
Jimmy Kimmel during the monologue on Friday, April 1, 2022. (Credit: Todd Owyoung/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
The FCC has ordered Disney-owned ABC stations to apply for early renewal of their broadcast television licenses — within 30 days — citing an investigation into the company’s DEI practices.
The request underscores recent tensions between the media giant and the Trump administration.
FCC orders ABC to file TV license renewals within 30 days
Big picture view:
The agency’s order of the early license review of eight Disney-owned ABC affiliates said the action is pursuant to a probe into Disney and ABC over potential violations of the FCC’s "prohibition on unlawful discrimination."
"The FCC has been investigating The Walt Disney Company, its American Broadcasting Company, and its subsidiaries (collectively, ‘Disney’s ABC’) for compliance with its obligations as a licensed broadcaster. Specifically, the FCC has been investigating Disney’s ABC stations for possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and the FCC’s rules, including the agency’s prohibition on unlawful discrimination," FCC Chief of the video division David Brown wrote in the filing.
The FCC continued, "The FCC determines that calling in Disney’s ABC licenses for early renewal, at this time, under the Communications Act’s public interest standard is essential within the meaning of agency regulations. Therefore, Disney’s ABC is hereby directed to file license renewals for all of their licensed TV stations within 30 days – in other words, by May 28, 2026."
KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in North Carolina, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and KTRK-TV in Houston are the Disney-owned stations named by the FCC.
Disney says it will comply with FCC’s order
Dig deeper:
The licenses are not up for renewal for several years, but the FCC accelerated their renewal process.
Disney told FOX News Digital it plans to comply with the FCC’s order.
"We have received the Federal Communications Commission’s order initiating an accelerated review of the licenses held by ABC’s owned television stations," a Disney spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "ABC and its stations have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public‑interest programming."
Disney added, "We are confident that record demonstrates our continued qualifications as licensees under the Communications Act and the First Amendment and are prepared to show that through the appropriate legal channels. Our focus remains, as always, on serving viewers in the local communities where our stations operate."
FCC filing comes amid Jimmy Kimmel controversy
The backstory:
While the FCC filing does not specifically mention Jimmy Kimmel, the order comes in the wake of Kimmel’s controversial joke last week that prompted President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to call for his firing.
Jimmy Kimmel returning to Sinclair, Nexstar affiliates
TMZ's Michael Babcock joins LiveNOW's Mike Pache to react to Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show returning to ABC-affiliated Sinclair and Nexstar stations across the country.
In September 2025, the FCC also threatened to investigate TV stations if they didn’t drop Kimmel, following his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
EARLIER: Jimmy Kimmel to return to late-night after ABC suspension.
Kimmel explained and defended his recent joke during his opening monologue Monday evening.
He explained how, on his show last week, they did a makeshift, honorary roast of the administration since news came out last week that a mentalist would be the night’s entertainment at the Correspondents’ Dinner instead of the traditional comedian who roasts the room.
"I said (in our pretend roast), ‘Our first lady Melania is here, look at her, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump - you have the glow like an expectant widow,’" he recalled.
"Which – obviously was a joke about their age difference, and the look of joy we see on her face every time they’re together," he added sarcastically. "It was a very light roast joke, about the fact he’s almost 80 and she’s younger than I am."
The other side:
On Monday, Melania posted on X to say that Kimmel’s "hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country" and that his comments about her family weren't comedy.
"Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community," she added.
RELATED: Jimmy Kimmel not backing down in response to Trumps' call for removal
Later in the day, President Donald Trump and the White House also posted on social media, agreeing with his wife.
"A day later a lunatic tried entering the ballroom of the White House Correspondents Dinner, loaded up with a shotgun, handgun, and many knives. He was there for a very obvious and sinister reason. I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale," Trump wrote. "Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
Big picture view:
The events, which have unfolded in recent days, stem from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday night and the shooting that took place.
Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, the 31-year-old accused of targeting top Trump administration officials, is facing three counts, including attempting to assassinate the President of the United States, transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Top DOJ officials said Monday that additional charges are expected, and he faces life imprisonment.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. FOX News, previous FOX Local reporting contributed.