Disney Seeks FCC Exemption for ‘The View’ as News Program
The FCC has opened a public comment period on Disney's petition to keep The View classified as a news program, which could determine whether the daytime talk show remains exempt from equal-time political broadcasting rules.
According to Breitbart News, Disney submitted the petition in early May on behalf of ABC and its Houston station KTRK-TV, seeking to preserve the show’s exemption from regulations requiring equal airtime for political candidates. The equal-time rule, established under the Communications Act of 1934, mandates that broadcasters provide comparable access to all candidates running for office, preventing networks from using public airwaves to favor one candidate or party.
The company’s request comes amid long-standing tensions between President Donald Trump and various hosts of The View, a panel-based program blending news coverage with entertainment analysis. Disney argues the show functions similarly to established news programs like NBC’s Meet The Press and CBS’ Face The Nation.
However, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has raised significant concerns. “Under FCC case law, tv shows do not qualify as ‘bona fide news’ if their decisions are based on partisan purposes,” Carr stated, questioning whether The View genuinely meets the criteria for news programming exemptions.
Disney and ABC contend in their filing that the show “has been broadcasting under a bona fide news exemption granted to it more than 20 years ago,” and warned that FCC action could upend established practice and chill protected speech. The outcome of the public comment period will determine whether the show must comply with equal-time requirements during election coverage.
With information from Breitbart News
