What does the FCC do - and can it revoke a TV network's licence?

September 20, 2025

of News Article President Trump recently suggested that TV networks giving him "bad publicity" should lose their broadcasting licenses, following the suspension of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel after he made comments about the Charlie Kirk murder suspect. This incident has raised questions about the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) authority to regulate broadcast content and revoke licenses. The controversy intensified when FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, suggested there could be "remedies" against Kimmel, prompting major station owners Nexstar and Sinclair to stop airing Kimmel's program.

Who is affected

ABC and Jimmy Kimmel, whose program has been suspended indefinitely
Local TV stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair that were airing Kimmel's program
Broadcast networks that criticize President Trump
Viewers of these affected programs
The broader media landscape operating under potential regulatory threats
Nexstar, which is currently seeking FCC approval for a $6.2bn deal to buy rival Tegna

What action is being taken

ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel's program indefinitely
Nexstar and Sinclair have stopped airing Kimmel's program on their local stations
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is suggesting potential regulatory action against certain media content
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez is publicly criticizing the administration pressure and ABC's response
President Trump is continuing to suggest that TV networks giving him negative coverage should lose their licenses

Why it matters

The situation raises significant First Amendment concerns about government censorship of media
It demonstrates how regulatory threats can influence corporate media decisions
The controversy highlights the FCC's role in broadcast regulation and its potential power over local stations
It reveals tensions between political interests and media independence
The situation could establish precedent for how the government interacts with critical media
It comes amid Nexstar's pending $6.2bn deal requiring FCC approval, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC