FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appearing on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” defended the agency’s scrutiny of ABC’s The View, broadcasters’ public interest obligations, and outline plans for broadcast license reviews and spectrum policy.
In the wide-ranging interview, Carr addressed Disney/ABC’s recent filing that sought to classify The View as a “bona fide news program” exempt from equal-time rules. He questioned whether the daytime talk show still meets that standard today compared to its 2002 evaluation, citing concerns over partisan commentary by hosts like Whoopi Goldberg.
Carr emphasized the long-standing FCC test for newsworthiness: programming decisions must prioritize news value over partisan political purposes. He clarified that reclassifying The View would not force the show to host specific candidates but would require affiliated TV stations to provide comparable airtime and placement to legally qualified political candidates under equal opportunity rules.
Hosts Sara Eisen and Carl Quintanilla pressed Carr on potential chilling effects on programming and government involvement in content decisions. Carr responded that broadcasters using public airwaves (spectrum provided for free) must uphold obligations to the American public, unlike cable or streaming platforms. He noted options for networks to move content online if they prefer fewer restrictions.
Carr emphasized the long-standing FCC test for newsworthiness: programming decisions must prioritize news value over partisan political purposes. He clarified that reclassifying The View would not force the show to host specific candidates but would require affiliated TV stations to provide comparable airtime and placement to legally qualified political candidates under equal opportunity rules.
Hosts Sara Eisen and Carl Quintanilla pressed Carr on potential chilling effects on programming and government involvement in content decisions. Carr responded that broadcasters using public airwaves (spectrum provided for free) must uphold obligations to the American public, unlike cable or streaming platforms. He noted options for networks to move content online if they prefer fewer restrictions.
— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) July 13, 2026
The FCC has called in ABC stations’ licenses for early renewal amid petitions to deny. Carr stated that broadcast licenses are revocable if stations fail to serve the public interest, adding that the agency is advancing similar actions against other broadcasters. He dismissed notions of using investigations merely as threats, pointing to ongoing document productions and inquiries.