Disney is bringing another element into its ongoing battle with the Federal Communications Commission: fans.
In a new campaign launched Monday, the entertainment conglomerate urged viewers of “The View” to submit public comments as the company grapples with unconventional pressure from the Trump administration. The Federal Communications Commission, headed by Chairman Brendan Carr, ordered Disney to apply for renewal of eight stations years ahead of schedule. Disney said in its filing that the application was made “in protest of an unlawful, arbitrary and unconstitutional order.”
The View, which has gained popularity in recent years for its political discussions, has also become a target of the administration. The FCC is investigating whether the show violates so-called “equal time” election laws by featuring politicians, and began investigating after James Talarico, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Texas, appeared on the show in February. In January, the FCC issued new guidance requiring late-night and daytime hosts to give equal time to political candidates from different parties, citing the potential for programs to operate along partisan lines.
Spots related to discussions on “The View” will air during commercial breaks during the show’s start time. Messages from Disney related to air station licenses will be broadcast throughout the day in New York (WABC, KABC in Los Angeles, WLS in Chicago, WPVI in Philadelphia, KTRK in Houston, KGO in San Francisco, WTVD in Raleigh-Durham, and KFSN in Fresno).
Disney will also use the ABC network and “The View” digital sites.
One of the ads tells viewers, “For nearly 30 years, ‘The View’ has hosted our favorite guests. Now, the FCC wants to control who can appear on the show.”
Another person warned viewers, “ABC7 has proudly served the New York area for over 75 years. Now the FCC is questioning our commitment to our viewers by threatening to take us off the air.”
This message and tactic is a reminder of what companies like Disney would do, and in some cases did, when they were embroiled in a contract dispute with a distributor and wanted to appeal to some of the people who could be most adversely affected.
Disney will urge viewers to make their voices heard by leaving comments online with the FCC and entering the corresponding docket number with their submissions.
