Disney Confronts FCC Ruling on The View
Walt Disney Company’s shares recovered, gaining 1.44%, after a brief dip on Wednesday when Bloomberg reported that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to issue rulings against the company in two distinct investigations. The FCC is expected to act as early as next month, potentially before the Labor Day holiday.
The first investigation concerns whether Disney’s ABC network is fit to retain its local broadcast station licenses, with the agency indicating that a probe may be forwarded to an agency hearing, a step that could lead to license revocation. The second investigation focuses on the daytime talk‑show “The View,” which the FCC is likely to determine is not a “bona fide” news‑interview program. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr argued that the show functions as an entertainment and partisan program, noting that its hosts openly advocate for or attack political candidates, which would disqualify it from the federal equal‑time exemption.
Under federal law, television networks must provide equal airtime to opposing political candidates unless a program qualifies as a “bona fide” news interview. If The View loses this exemption, ABC would be required to allocate identical airtime to opposing politicians for any political content aired on the show.
Disney has indicated that it will contest any FCC actions arising from these investigations. No further details on potential penalties or timelines were disclosed.