FCC orders early renewals for Disney stations amid Kimmel controversy

If those renewals are denied, the stations could lose their ability to broadcast.

(NBC)- An unprecedented move by the Federal Communications Commission is raising questions about the future of several major local TV stations owned by The Walt Disney Company.

The FCC has ordered eight Disney-owned local stations in major cities—including Fresno, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Houston and Durham—to file for early license renewals years ahead of schedule. If those renewals are denied, the stations could lose their ability to broadcast.

Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler says such action is rare.

“It has been 40 years since the FCC revoked a broadcast television license,” Wheeler said.

The move comes as the FCC continues an ongoing investigation into Disney—parent company of ABC—over its diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

Sources say the probe has now expanded to include recent comments made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel addressed the controversy on his show, defending remarks he made during a monologue tied to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject,” Kimmel said, adding his comments were intended as a light roast.

However, Melania Trump criticized the remarks as “hateful and violent rhetoric,” a stance echoed by Donald Trump, who called for Kimmel’s dismissal. The backlash adds pressure on Disney leadership, including new CEO Josh D’Amaro, who recently took the helm.

In a statement, Disney said it has “a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules.”