Disney's ABC digs in for a major FCC fight over station licenses

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Set us as preferred The Walt Disney Co.has intensified its battle with the Federal Communications Commission to keep its ABC television stations on the air.In documents filed with the FCC and released Thursday, Disney accused the agency of waging a thinly veiled “intimidation” and “retribution” campaign in service to President Trump.

“The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country: accommodate the Administration’s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price,” Disney attorneys wrote in the 109-page filing.The Burbank entertainment giant has enlisted prominent elected officials, community organizations and seasoned litigators for the 1st Amendment showdown that could ultimately reach the U.S.

Supreme Court.Disney’s combative stance comes after the FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, took the rare step this spring of demanding that Disney defend the broadcast licenses of its eight ABC stations — including KABC-TV Channel 7 in Los Angeles — years before the permits were set to expire.

Hollywood Inc.The Disney Co.-owned ABC station licenses are under scrutiny as the company faces ire over late-night gags about the White House Correspondents’ Assn.

dinner.The government’s move represents a significant threat to Disney because the loss of licenses would hobble the ABC network by forcing its largest stations off the air.Other ABC stations at risk include those in San Francisco, Fresno, Houston, Philadelphia and New York.

“The FCC has spent the last 18 months searching for some pretext for revoking the stations’ licenses,” Disney’s attorneys wrote in the filing.“The Commission has found none, because the stations easily meet the standard for license renewal,” Disney said.Disney cited the unusual nature of the proceedings, linking the FCC’s action...