Developing storyline

ABC News' legal fight with the FCC over license renewals and free speech

ABC sues the FCC and Trump administration alleging retaliatory pressure to expedite license renewals, amid a separate free-speech dispute tied to Jimmy Kimmel and ratings shifts at World News Tonight.

2 stories166 sourcesUpdated Aug 19, 2026

In this storyline:Federal Communications Commission “Jimmy Kimmel Live!Donald John Trump ABC News Jimmy Kimmel NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas ABC World News Tonight with David Muir

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Key developments

Aug 19, 2026
ABC files a federal lawsuit against the FCC and Trump administration, alleging a retaliatory campaign to pressure early renewal of eight ABC stations' licenses over editorial coverage.
152 sources on this →
Aug 19, 2026
ABC News pursues a separate First Amendment case against the FCC tied to the Jimmy Kimmel dispute, even as World News Tonight loses ground to NBC Nightly News in the 25-54 demographic.
14 sources on this →

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Photo: Federal Communications Commission / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Politics

ABC Sues FCC Over Expedited License Renewals

ABC filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Trump administration and the FCC of a retaliatory campaign to curb its free speech and pressure early renewal of eight ABC stations’ licenses. The suit argues government pressure targeted ABC for its editorial decisions and coverage, with ongoing regulatory actions surrounding The View and related DEI scrutiny.

152 sources

Photo: GtmnPhotos / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Entertainment

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World News Tonight Loses 25-54 Audience

ABC's World News Tonight saw a drop in the 25-54 demographic against NBC Nightly News during the first week of August, though it still led in total viewers overall. ABC News expanded its programming with a morning broadcast and, in a separate development, is pursuing a First Amendment case against the FCC in a dispute tied to Jimmy Kimmel, as primaries unfold and new research into mosquito control is highlighted.

14 sources