WASHINGTON – Federal communications regulators announced Tuesday they are fast-tracking license renewal evaluations for eight television stations owned by Disney’s ABC network, advancing the process by more than six years ahead of schedule.
The Federal Communications Commission stated that the accelerated reviews stem from an ongoing 12-month investigation into the agency’s policies prohibiting unlawful discrimination in broadcasting. Originally scheduled to commence in October 2028, the license evaluations must now be submitted by Disney no later than May 28.
The television stations subject to the expedited review process operate in eight major metropolitan areas: Fresno, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Durham, North Carolina.
The move represents a significant intensification of tensions between the previous Trump administration and major American media companies.
