The news: The FCC is preparing to order an early review of Disney's eight ABC station licenses, per CNN, after White House communications director Steven Cheung, President Donald Trump, and others publicly demanded the network fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

The pressure follows a joke Kimmel made about First Lady Melania Trump two days before shots were fired outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. It is the second time the current administration has taken regulatory aim at Kimmel and ABC in seven months.

Zooming out: When a similar controversy erupted in September 2025 over Kimmel's comments about the suspect in conservative activist Charlie Kirk's killing, Nexstar and Sinclair (who together own 70 ABC affiliates across the US) pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live" for nine days. This time, affiliates have stayed silent, citing concerns over breach-of-affiliation agreements. Disney has not commented publicly but has signaled it is prepared for prolonged legal conflict.

Why it matters: The FCC action adds regulatory uncertainty to a broadcast market already in structural decline.

• Traditional TV ad spending fell a record 13.8% in 2025 and will decline another 1.5% in 2026, per our forecast, even with midterm elections, the Winter Olympics, and the World Cup providing support.