A conservative media watchdog group has intensified its campaign to have the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revoke ABC's television licenses. In a new regulatory filing, the Media Research Center (MRC) accused the network of asserting an "entitlement" to public airwaves, likening its stance to "squatters rights."

The MRC, along with the Center for American Rights, first petitioned the FCC in June to deny the renewal of eight of Disney's broadcast licenses, which include ABC channels in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Carr, initiated a license renewal review for these stations more than a year ahead of schedule, citing ABC's alleged non-cooperation with an inquiry into its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

In its filing, the MRC stated that broadcast spectrum is public property and that a license to use it is a privilege, not a perpetual right. "Someone else may own the property, have the statutory right to license the property, and bear the responsibility to ensure the property is well maintained, but ABC seems to believe it has an entitlement to control the property in perpetuity," the group wrote.

ABC, in its own regulatory filing last week, countered by accusing Chairman Carr of "attempted censorship" and characterizing the watchdogs' filings as part of a broader partisan attack on media. The Disney-owned network argued that Carr's review signals to media companies that they must align with the administration's news coverage preferences or face repercussions. ABC also noted that its opposition to the license review has garnered significant public support and condemnation of the FCC's actions from across the political spectrum, including from conservative figures like Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and Senator Ted Cruz.

The MRC dismissed ABC's claims, asserting that the network mischaracterized the watchdog's arguments as mere "bias." The group also contended that support for ABC, secured after what it described as an "extensive lobby campaign," does not invalidate its core arguments.

This is not the first time conservative watchdogs have challenged major broadcasters. The Center for American Rights filed an FCC complaint in 2024 against CBS News, alleging news distortion in a "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. While initially dismissed by the Biden administration, Carr reopened the complaint after becoming chairman in January 2025, demanding interview transcripts and video feeds from CBS. Paramount, CBS's owner, later settled a lawsuit with former President Trump over allegations of deceptive editing in the same interview.

The current FCC review of ABC's licenses also follows a public dispute between late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and former President Trump, which was exacerbated after Kimmel made a remark about First Lady Melania Trump. Trump had publicly called for Kimmel's termination.