Disney is taking an unusual approach in its ongoing fight with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over The View, turning to its daytime audience for help.
According to a new report from Variety, Disney and ABC have launched a campaign urging viewers of The View to submit comments to the FCC as the company battles regulatory scrutiny surrounding both the daytime talk show and several ABC-owned television stations.
Disney is urging “The View” fans to join the fight against FCC censorship.https://t.co/QJl3vjahhd pic.twitter.com/Iugx1Costa
— Variety (@Variety) June 22, 2026
For a company with Disney’s resources, the optics are striking. Disney is undoubtedly fighting the FCC through lawyers, regulatory filings, and its own government affairs apparatus. Yet the company has now expanded that effort beyond boardrooms and legal briefs, asking the audience to weigh in directly on its behalf.
Disney Recruits Viewers for Regulatory Fight
The campaign centers on a series of advertisements that will air during The View and across ABC-owned stations in major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham, and Fresno.
One advertisement tells viewers: “The View has welcomed your favorite guests for nearly 30 years. Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show.”
Another warns viewers that ABC stations could face consequences as the FCC examines Disney’s broadcast licenses.
Whoopi Goldberg speaking to JD Vance on The View – YouTube, The View
The ads direct viewers to submit comments to the FCC before an upcoming July 6th deadline, effectively encouraging fans of the show to become participants in the regulatory dispute.
Public comment campaigns are a common tactic in regulatory disputes, but Disney’s decision to enlist The View audience highlights just how seriously the company is taking the FCC’s scrutiny of both the program and its local broadcast stations.
Why Disney and ABC Are Under Scrutiny
The dispute stems from FCC actions involving both ABC’s local broadcast stations and The View itself.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has ordered Disney to begin renewing licenses for several ABC-owned stations years ahead of schedule. Disney has challenged the order, arguing that the requirement is unlawful and unconstitutional.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr testifies before House subcommittee – CBS News, YouTube
At the same time, The View has found itself under scrutiny following an appearance by Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico earlier this year.
The FCC has reportedly examined whether the program’s political guest appearances raise questions under equal-time rules, which are intended to ensure fairness in political broadcasting.
Disney Takes Its Case Directly to Viewers
Public comment campaigns are a common part of regulatory disputes, so Disney’s decision to ask viewers to contact the FCC is not unusual by itself.
What stands out is that the company has chosen to make The View and its audience central to the campaign.
Sunny Hostin issuing a legal notice on The View – YouTube, Page Six
Rather than limiting the fight to legal filings and regulatory proceedings, Disney is using one of its most politically engaged television audiences to help advance its argument that the FCC’s actions threaten both the show and ABC’s local broadcast stations.
The Debate Over The View Is Far From Over
Disney’s campaign is unlikely to end the controversy surrounding The View or this FCC review.
Instead, it highlights the central question at the heart of the dispute: should a program built around political commentary, celebrity interviews, and opinion-driven discussion be treated the same as traditional news and public affairs programming?
Joy Behar speaking to JD Vance on The View – YouTube, The View
Disney clearly believes the answer is yes. Critics of the show have long argued otherwise.
As the FCC review continues, that debate is likely to receive far more attention than Disney would prefer.
Do you think The View will prevail over the FCC? Sound off and let us know!
