Think of media without Disney, or ABC. End of overt media racial discrimination in programing and behind the scenes? End of Jimmy Kimmel et al and factual distortion? End of the hugely influential O&O's (owned and operated) stations around the country?

FCC Sets Deadlines for Comments in ABC License Renewals

The Federal Communications Commission has set dates for filings in the early renewal of licenses for eight ABC-owned stations.

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On April 28, the Video Division of the Media Bureau issued an order directingThe Walt Disney Co., ABC and its subsidiaries to file license renewals for all of their licensed TV stations.

The FCC has set deadlines for comments filed in its MB Docket No. 26-131, with petitions to deny due on June 29, opposition on July 29 and replies due Aug. 5.

In its order demanding the early renewals, the agency noted that “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.”

“Specifically, the FCC has been investigating whether Disney’s ABC engaged in prohibited practices by hiring, promoting, compensating, and/or providing workplace opportunities to people based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics in violation of federal nondiscrimination laws,” the FCC said in the June 1 filing setting deadlines for comments. “In the course of conducting that investigation, the FCC determined that calling in Disney’s ABC licenses for early renewal was necessary to the proper conduct of that ongoing investigation.”

“Calling the licenses in now for early renewal also provides the FCC the opportunity to determine whether the ABC Stations have been operating in the public interest, as required by their FCC licenses,” the regulator added.

The decision to investigate the stations for possible violations of public interest standards, including the airing of“biased news coverage,” has drawn criticism. Democratic FCC commissioner Anna Gomez, broadcasters, the National Association of Broadcasters, former FCC members and staff and public-interest groups have said the investigation is outside the agency's authority and is an unconstitutional attack on free speech.

The licenses up for renewal are:

KFSN-TV, Fresno, Calif.

KABC-TV, Los Angeles, Calif.

KGO-TV, San Francisco, Calif.

WLS-TV, Chicago, Ill.

WABC-TV, New York, N.Y.

WTVD, Durham, N.C.

WPVI-TV, Philadelphia, Pa.

KTRK-TV, Houston, Texas

The FCC document setting filing procedures in this case is available here*.

https://www.tvtechnology.com/regulatory-legal/fcc-sets-deadlines-for-comments-in-abc-license-renewals

• https://www.fcc.gov/document/applications-disneys-abc-pleading-cycle-ex-parte-procedures