FCC Orders Early Review of Disney Broadcast Licenses Amid DEI Probe and After Kimmel Comments

Following concerns about Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is seeking an early review of the company's broadcast station licenses, per CNBC. 

New Renewal Deadline Set 

Carr made his intentions known in a letter ordering the company to file for early renewal of ABC-owned television stations and stating that the action is related to their investigation into Disney's DEI efforts, which began last year. 

At the time, the FCC said it wanted to “ensure that Disney and ABC have not been violating FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination.”

Right now, ABC-owned station licenses are up for renewal between 2028 and 2031. 

Disney confirmed the letter on Tuesday and now has until May 28 to file for renewals. 

“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 said in a statement. “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.” 

Letters Come After Jimmy Kimmel Comments

The timing of this falls in line with ABC facing backlash from President Donald Trump over comments made by Jimmy Kimmel in the opening monologue of his late-night TV show, in which he referred to First Lady Melania Trump as an "expectant widow" following an assassination attempt of the President at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. 

That said, the FCC began investigating Disney last March for possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and the FCC's rules against unlawful discrimination. 

The FCC order lists eight stations subject to early renewal. These include three in California, and others in Texas, New York, Illinois, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. 

FCC Commissioner Claps Back

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez took to X to voice her displeasure over this: 

"This is unprecedented, unlawful, and going nowhere.

"This political stunt won't stick.

Companies should challenge it head-on. The First Amendment is on their side," she said. 

Kimmel has gotten additional attention lately, as in September, he was temporarily suspended for comments made about Charlie Kirk, who was killed while hosting an event at a college campus.