FCC Plans Early Review of ABC Licenses After Kimmel Clash

The Federal Communications Commission will start an early review of the TV station licenses owned by Walt Disney Co.’s ABC network over potential “unlawful discrimination,” the regulator said Tuesday.

In a two-page order from the FCC’s Media Bureau, the eight Disney-owned stations are directed to file license renewals by May 28 — at least two years earlier than otherwise required. The unusual move comes just a day after President Donald Trump told ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over comments he made about the president and first lady last week, escalating pressure from the US government on the media.