April 28 (Reuters) – The Federal Communications Commission is moving toward a review of Disney’s broadcast licenses, Semafor reported on Tuesday, a development that could pressure the ABC owner amid a row between the White House and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
The FCC could accelerate reviews of licenses held by broadcast television stations, agency Chair Brendan Carr told Reuters last month, as he intensifies efforts to investigate news media companies and faces pressure from President Donald Trump.
Carr noted that the FCC has a number of investigations into various broadcasters, including NBC, ABC, PBS and National Public Radio.
The Commission may choose not to trigger the process, known as an early license review, Semafor reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Disney and the Federal Communications Commission did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
The matter could add pressure on Disney and ABC amid renewed criticism from Trump in recent days.
Trump said on Monday that Kimmel should be fired by ABC and its parent Disney for remarks made prior to a shooting at Saturday’s White House correspondents’ dinner.
Kimmel said on Monday his joke about Melania Trump, in which he said she had “a glow like an expectant widow,” referred to the difference in ages of the first lady and her husband, and that it was not a “call to assassination.”
(Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Anil D’Silva)
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