The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially opened the floor for public comment on a question that is suddenly becoming very uncomfortable for Disney and ABC: Is The View actually a legitimate news program, or is it simply a daytime opinion show masquerading as one?
The proceeding, announced by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, asks whether ABC’s long-running daytime panel series should continue receiving an exemption from federal equal time requirements typically granted to “bona fide news interview programs.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joy Behar on The View – YouTube, The View
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That means the federal government is now actively asking Americans to weigh in on whether The View deserves to be treated like actual news programming under FCC precedent.
According to the FCC filing, the agency is specifically seeking comment on whether the show’s format and guest selections are truly based on “newsworthiness” or if they are designed to support or oppose political candidates. The comment period follows ABC’s dispute with the FCC after Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appeared on the program earlier this year.
Why The FCC Is Suddenly Looking at The View
The controversy stems from a February appearance by Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on The View. Under federal equal time rules, broadcasters who provide airtime to one political candidate may be required to offer comparable opportunities to opposing candidates if requested.
For decades, programs like The View have largely operated under the assumption that they qualify for a news exemption. But the FCC under Carr appears increasingly skeptical of automatically granting that protection.
The FCC filing asks: “Does The View qualify as a bona fide news interview program? Does the federal equal opportunities statute pass relevant constitutional scrutiny, either as a general matter or as applied here? Are the relevant decisions on The View, including on format and participants, based on newsworthiness or on an attempt to oppose or support particular candidates within the meaning of FCC precedent?”
The hosts of The View applaud Anthony Weiner – YouTube, The View
That is not a minor question.
The FCC is essentially asking whether The View behaves like a journalistic program or like a politically aligned opinion platform.
ABC Pushes Back Hard
Disney-owned ABC has already responded aggressively, arguing that the FCC’s scrutiny amounts to political retaliation and an attack on the First Amendment.
In its filing, the network argued: “Some may dislike certain—or even most—of the viewpoints expressed on The View or similar shows. Such dislike, however, cannot justify using regulatory processes to restrict those views.”
Joy Behar on The View – YouTube, The View
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The network also pointed to a 2002 FCC ruling that previously classified The View as exempt from equal time requirements.
But critics argue the show has changed dramatically since then.
Over the years, The View has increasingly blurred the line between entertainment, activism, political commentary, and news coverage. While the show still books celebrities and lifestyle guests, much of its modern identity revolves around highly partisan anti-Trump political discussions, particularly during election cycles.
That has led many viewers to question whether the show still resembles a traditional news interview program at all.
Even Deadline’s Comment Section Turned Into a Debate
The reaction online was immediate.
Under Deadline’s coverage of the story, commenters openly argued over whether The View should qualify as news.
One commenter wrote: “It NOT news. It’s opinions.”
Another added: “In my opinion The View in no way qualifies as a news program.”
Sunny Hostin issuing a legal notice on The View – YouTube, Page Six
Others pushed back by accusing the FCC of politically motivated targeting, stating: “This FCC doesn’t give a damn about public comment. And the only reason why this is even up for debate is because Carr is ‘just following orders’.”
The divide itself highlights the core issue facing the FCC: large portions of the public no longer agree on whether The View is journalism, political activism, or simply daytime television commentary.
The Bigger Problem for Legacy Media
This situation also speaks to a broader crisis in modern media.
For years, legacy television outlets have attempted to maintain the legal protections and institutional credibility associated with journalism while simultaneously embracing increasingly activist-driven commentary formats.
Programs like The View often present themselves as both entertainment and authoritative political analysis depending on the circumstance.
Arnold Schwarzenegger on The View with Sunny Hostin – YouTube, The View
When controversial political statements are made, defenders frame the show as harmless opinion programming. But when legal protections or institutional credibility are needed, the show is suddenly described as a legitimate news operation.
The FCC’s public inquiry appears aimed directly at that contradiction.
Whether anything substantial ultimately changes remains unclear. ABC will almost certainly fight aggressively to preserve The View’s current classification, and FCC legal challenges could drag on for months or years.
Anthony Weiner talks to Ana Navarro on The View – YouTube, The View
But the fact that the federal government is now publicly asking Americans whether The View qualifies as “real” news is, by itself, an extraordinary development.
And for many critics of modern television media, it’s a question they believe should have been asked a long time ago.
Do you think The View counts as news under FCC law? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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