Politics
Disney and ABC Take the FCC to Federal Court Over Trump-Backed Push to Review All Eight ABC Licenses
A Reagan-era FCC chairman called the agency's accelerated review unconstitutional as a D.C. judge heard Disney's bid to block it.
Topic
FCC
19 stories from Planck Standard. Latest: October 9, 2026.
PoliticsThe Supreme Court Restored the GOP's Discounted Broadcast Ad Rates Sixty Days Before the Midterms
An unsigned order Friday froze a Fourth Circuit ruling that had stripped party committees of the cheapest political ad rates. Republican committees say broadcasters had already started pulling the discounts.
PoliticsThe Supreme Court Just Handed Republicans Cheaper Campaign Ads Nine Weeks Before the Midterms
The justices stayed a Fourth Circuit ruling that had blocked political parties from buying broadcast time at the discounted rate reserved for candidates. Ketanji Brown Jackson was the only noted dissent.
PoliticsThe FCC Just Erased the 39% Limit on How Much of America One TV Company Can Reach. The Vote Was 2-1
Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Olivia Trusty repealed a national broadcast ownership cap that had stood since 2004. Anna Gomez dissented, saying the agency wants power, not balance.
Top NewsThe FCC Is Quietly Drafting a Ban on Chinese Optical Transceivers, the Parts That Move Data Inside AI Data Centers
Four people familiar with the effort told Reuters the administration wants to bar imports of new Chinese models of the devices that shuttle data over fiber inside data centers. China's Zhongji Innolight holds a 27% global share.
WatchPoliticsABC Tells the FCC It Is Running 'Attempted Censorship' as 150,000 Comments Pile Up Against the Agency
In a filing that names Donald Trump and Brendan Carr directly, the network says an early review of eight of its station licenses is a search for a pretext. The FCC is expected to rule in August.
WatchPoliticsTrump Demands ABC and NBC Lose Their Broadcast Licenses After They Skip His Election Speech
The president called the networks' decision not to carry his primetime address an act of "fraud" that "should mean a revocation of their licenses." Only Fox and CBS aired it — and both attached disclaimers.
MarketsDisney's ABC Files Early Broadcast License Renewals Under Protest After FCC Review
Disney filed renewals for eight broadcast station licenses years ahead of schedule after the FCC launched an early review, with the new FCC Chair vowing to 'follow the facts.'
TechTrump FCC Warns All Broadcasters to Follow Orders or Face ABC-Style Punishment
Federal Communications Commission issues broad warning to television networks following controversial early license review targeting Disney's ABC stations.
TechTrump FCC Asks Public Whether ABC's 'The View' Qualifies as News Show
Federal Communications Commission launches unprecedented public comment period questioning the classification of the popular daytime talk show.
TechFCC Angers Small Carriers by Approving AT&T and Starlink EchoStar Spectrum Deal
Federal regulators face criticism for allowing major players to acquire valuable wireless spectrum while smaller companies struggle to compete.
TechABC Fights Trump Administration's FCC Probe Into 'The View' Content
Network refuses to capitulate as administration attempts to assert control over broadcast television programming decisions.
BusinessABC Accuses Trump Administration of Free Speech Violations Over 'The View' Probe
Broadcast network argues in FCC filing that regulatory action targeting daytime talk show violates constitutional rights.
- Business
ABC Accuses Trump Administration of Violating Free Speech Rights
The broadcast network argues the administration's regulatory action focused on 'The View' violates constitutional protections.
TechCourt Strikes Down FCC Anti-Discrimination Rule Opposed by Internet Providers
Federal appeals court ruling eliminates telecommunications regulation that internet service providers argued was overly burdensome and legally problematic.
- Business
FCC Orders Disney TV Stations to File Early License Renewals Over DEI Policy Concerns
The Federal Communications Commission has directed Disney's eight owned-and-operated television stations to submit broadcast license renewals years ahead of schedule, citing questions about diversity policies.
PoliticsSupreme Court Reviews FCC's Enforcement Power in Landmark Communications Case
AT&T and Verizon challenge multimillion-dollar penalties, claiming agency violated their right to jury trial in consumer data protection case.
PoliticsFCC Approves Nexstar's $6.2 Billion Takeover of Tegna, Creating Nation's Largest Local TV Empire — Eight States File Emergency Suit
The FCC waived its own 39% ownership cap to green-light a deal that will give Nexstar 265 stations in 44 states, but eight state attorneys general and DirecTV immediately filed lawsuits calling the merger 'illegal, plain and simple' and asking courts to freeze it.
PoliticsFCC Approves $6.2B Nexstar-Tegna Merger Over Eight AGs' Lawsuits, Creating Largest Local TV Owner in US History
The combined 265-station company will reach more than 60% of American households after Chairman Brendan Carr waived FCC ownership limits — while New York and seven other states sue to block a deal critics say will spike cable bills and gut newsrooms.