FCC Targets ‘The View’ as Probe Begins

FCC TARGETS THE VIEW

The FCC’s formal inquiry into ABC’s “The View” marks an unprecedented challenge to decades of broadcast immunity for political talk shows, sending shockwaves through networks scrambling to avoid regulatory crosshairs.

Story Snapshot

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr launched an investigation into *The View* for potential equal time rule violation after interviewing Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico.
CBS lawyers preemptively blocked Talarico’s interview on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* from airing on broadcast TV, citing FCC scrutiny of ABC.
Carr’s policy shift reinterprets the 1934 equal time rule exemptions, arguing that daytime and late-night talk shows operate as entertainment rather than legitimate news programming.
Networks face regulatory uncertainty as broadcasters shift political content online to avoid FCC enforcement, while cable and streaming platforms remain unaffected.

FCC Targets Talk Show Exemptions

Chairman Brendan Carr’s January 2026 announcement redefined enforcement of the equal time rule, codified in Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934.

The statute requires broadcast stations using public airwaves to provide comparable airtime to all qualified candidates when one appears, with longstanding exemptions for “bona fide” news programs.

Carr argued that many talk shows function primarily as entertainment despite journalistic claims, rendering them ineligible for automatic exemptions.

His letter of inquiry to ABC regarding “The View”‘s Talarico interview represents the first formal investigation into a major daytime talk show under this stricter interpretation.

Chairman Brendan Carr says FCC is investigating ABC’s ‘The View’ over equal time rulehttps://t.co/izb4q7EjgL pic.twitter.com/ilqGTzrk9w

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 19, 2026

CBS Self-Censors Amid Regulatory Pressure

CBS lawyers intervened during February 2026 tapings of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”, advising against broadcasting Talarico’s interview due to the ongoing ABC inquiry. The network released the segment exclusively online, avoiding FCC jurisdiction over streaming platforms like YouTube.

Colbert publicly criticized CBS and the FCC as “bullies” on air, while Talarico inaccurately claimed on social media that Trump “refused” the interview—though CBS made the decision independently.

This preemptive caution highlights how regulatory signals alone, without formal rule changes or penalties, create chilling effects across broadcast media.

Democrats Cry Foul Over Fairness Enforcement

Democrat figures framed the inquiry as political weaponization targeting left-leaning programs like “The View” and “The Late Show”, which have historically featured liberal hosts critical of Trump.

Talarico warned of threats to free speech, while Colbert accused the FCC of capitulating to Trump-aligned pressure. Carr dismissed these claims, insisting that the policy ensures fairness for all candidates, including third-party contenders who are often excluded from major platforms.

Notably, no Republican candidates have filed equal time complaints despite the inquiry’s focus, raising questions about whether enforcement addresses genuine imbalances or selectively pressures networks perceived as ideologically hostile.

Networks Shift Political Content Online

Broadcasters increasingly redirect political interviews to digital platforms exempt from FCC oversight, avoiding potential violations while preserving access to the content. This shift benefits streaming services and social media but diminishes broadcast television’s role in election coverage.

Networks face mounting legal costs and operational uncertainty as Carr’s interpretation remains in early enforcement stages without formal resolution or fines.

The inquiry could permanently redefine talk show classifications, fundamentally altering how broadcast outlets engage with candidates during election cycles and signaling a precedent for future administrations to leverage regulatory authority.

Constitutional Concerns and Broadcast Realities

The equal time rule applies exclusively to broadcast TV and radio stations licensed to use public airwaves, distinguishing them from cable networks like CNN or streaming platforms operating without FCC jurisdiction.

While Carr emphasizes regulatory fairness, the policy’s selective application to broadcast-only formats raises practical concerns. ABC defended “The View” for consistently hosting diverse political figures, yet the inquiry’s timing, ahead of the 2026 midterms, amplifies partisan tensions.

This enforcement approach underscores broader debates over government reach into media operations, balancing First Amendment protections against statutory obligations tied to public airwave access—a distinction increasingly blurred as audiences migrate to unregulated digital spaces.