By Joe Flint
ABC is taking its fight with the government to its own airwaves.
The Disney-owned broadcast network launched an on-air campaign Monday urging viewers to weigh in against the Federal Communications Commission's early review of its broadcast licenses and a separate investigation of its daily talk show "The View."
The FCC has said the license review is tied to an investigation into Disney's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, while its probe into "The View" centers on whether the show violated so-called equal-time rules for politicians. ABC says both threaten free speech.
That ABC is running spots critical of a government agency shows how antagonistic the relationship between the network and the FCC has become. Under Chairman Brendan Carr, the FCC has taken a more combative approach to its interactions with media companies than prior administrations.
The spots about "The View" began airing on ABC stations around the country during Monday's episode of the show.
"'The View' has welcomed your favorite guests and covered the issues you care about for nearly 30 years," a voice-over says in an ad airing on ABC stations. The ad features video images of the show's co-creator, the late Barbara Walters, as well as current hosts. "Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show."
At the end of the spot, a QR code appears on screen that directs viewers to the FCC site where they can leave public comments.
An FCC representative said the messages were part of "a campaign of misinformation" by Disney, misleading viewers about equal-time rules. Later Monday, Carr posted on X with a link to the FCC website, encouraging people to submit comments about "The View."
In February, the FCC launched a probe into whether "The View" qualifies for an exemption from equal-time rules because it is considered a news program. ABC received a ruling from the FCC in 2002 declaring it a "bona fide" news program, allowing "The View" to feature political candidates without ABC having to offer similar airtime to their rivals.
ABC has previously said the FCC probes are aimed at silencing content unfavorable to the administration. "The View" hosts and guests are often critical of President Trump, as is late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
In January, the FCC issued what it called "guidance" on the equal-time rules that were widely viewed as aimed at daytime and late-night shows that often feature Democratic politicians.
The FCC said a show "motivated by partisan purposes" wouldn't be entitled to an exemption.
ABC's campaign regarding the FCC's potential challenge of its broadcast licenses, which also started Monday, is running only on the eight television stations ABC owns, including in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
"The FCC is questioning our commitment to the community," an announcer says in those spots, asking viewers to "tell the FCC to keep your trusted local station on the air." That spot also features a QR code for viewers to leave comments on the FCC website.
In April, the FCC issued a seldom-used procedure known as an early license renewal order for ABC's eight stations even though their current licenses had several years left to go.
Such a move is often a sign that the agency is preparing to challenge an owner's fitness to hold a broadcast license.
Carr has said the FCC is trying to determine whether Disney's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives violate the agency's prohibition on unlawful discrimination, and that the probe isn't related to ABC's content.
The network has countered that the agency is attempting to apply "new and undefined standards" to its stations and that the true purpose of this exercise is to "suppress speech."
Write to Joe Flint at Joe.Flint@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 22, 2026 16:23 ET (20:23 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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