Disney sued the FCC last month seeking a court order to halt an early review of ABC major-market broadcast licenses that the agency has discussed since April, and the case received its first hearing this week. The company said the proceeding threatens its operations and amounts to punishment for editorial choices and news reporting the administration dislikes.

The FCC stated it will keep examining claims, under review for more than a year, that Disney practiced illegal DEI discrimination, noting every broadcaster must serve the public interest. Chairman Brendan Carr said ABC fell short of that duty through Jimmy Kimmel Live and The View as well as through slanted news coverage.

Disney maintained the drawn-out process itself inflicts harm and reported it has grown more cautious about guests on The View while moving some of Kimmel’s candidate interviews to YouTube instead of the nightly broadcast.