6abc is warning viewers about the FCC taking away its TV license. Here's what's going on.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Published June 23, 2026, 11:04 a.m. ET


On Monday, 6abc issued a warning for viewers to take action to prevent Action News from disappearing from TV screens across the Delaware Valley. “The FCC is questioning our commitment to viewers by threatening to take us off the air,” a message from the station read.


Message shown by 6abc warning viewers about the FCC reviewing their broadcast license.
ABC

So what’s going on? Most local news stations are owned by separate companies, but 6abc is one of eight owned and operated by ABC, whose parent company is Disney. In April, the Federal Communications Commission launched an early review of the broadcast licenses for those eight stations. The review came shortly after President Donald Trump called for ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke he made involving first lady Melania Trump.

FCC commissioner Anna M. Gomez, the only remaining Democrat on the three-member panel, wrote in a May letter to Disney the company had “been made a target” by Trump’s FCC, and that targeting local stations “is an extraordinary and dangerous misapplication” of the agency’s authority.

“What Disney and ABC are facing is not a series of coincidental regulators actions but a sustained, coordinated campaign of censorship and control,” Gomez wrote, “carried out through the weaponization of the FCC’s authority as a federal regulator and aimed at pressuring a free and independent press and all media into submission.”

Read more: https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/media/6abc-philadelphia-fcc-trump-abc-20260623.html

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REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143657625
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143657848
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143662050
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143662357
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143663768
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143682808
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143683244

Tell the FCC to Keep WPVI-TV on the Air!

[relogic]

1. Other than the fact

that WPVI is one of only eight still owned by Trump’s nemesis, Disney/ABC and somehow that makes them too independent? This is obviously an overreach for the FCC, but independence of news reporting is counter to the messaging of foreign assets installed in our 3 Branches. Why doesn’t the administration come clean and finish the job. Put Carr in charge of all media in the US- no need to play these footsies with law suites and their easy money.

Rule by dictate and EO is the dream of all despots.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Channel 6 here in Philly

has literally held the #1 local news slot for well over 50 years.

[relogic]

5. I grew up with Jim Gardner-

back to the 70’s. I. Liked his manner in presenting Action News. Distinguished personified.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. He only retired recently - 4 years ago

And Larry Kane, who anchored on all 3 stations and is currently doing a part-time commentary gig on KYW rado, announced that he will be retiring after this November's election (and some 60 years in broadcasting)!

[Ollie Garkie]

3. And...

the people who were railing about the evils of cancel culture a few years ago? Crickets...even though this is a clear cut violation of the first amendment!

[Initech]

4. Brendan Carr is a fucking maniac. He needs to serve life in prison.

[dave99]

7. car accident ?

[mdbl]

8. They need to initiate a lawsuit against the FCC and the Dump admin

Those Fed agencies keep violating or threatening to violate the 1st amendment.

[wnylib]

9. Rachel Maddow included ABC in her good news broadcast

about pushback against the dictatorial regime. According to Maddow, several ABC stations are broadcasting requests from the public for backing to stay on air. Maddow views this as a good thing that ABC is not caving to Trump like CBS did.

Trump's agenda falls apart as pushback strategy spreads - Rachel Maddow - MS NOW - Democratic Underground Forums https://share.google/DMRcbEr35pYOmT9It

[malthaussen]

10. I never watched the news, but Action News has been a Philly institution forever.

It's too bad they're not independent -- like the Inquirer -- and are thus subject to retaliation on their parent corporation. Or subject to the whims of their corporate overlord, like so many news sources.

-- Mal

[BumRushDaShow]

11. They created a formula

kept popular anchors for decades, avoiding the revolving door syndrome that plagues local bed broadcasters, and didn't keep trying to "reinvent" themselves to follow the latest fad.

About the only thing that would be updated to fit the era was their openings.

Full theme created in 1970 (apparently a couple stations around the country used the theme) -

Their latest update -

[malthaussen]

14. They did indeed invent the formula, according to Wikipedia

Apparently, it was created in 1970 as a response to the "Eyewitness News" format used by KYW. "At the time, WFIL-TV was said to be #4 in a three-station market," LOL.

The "Action News" format was used in several different locales. It was like the Top 40 radio format in that. Some third party invented that formula, down to the musical notes that went with the call sign, and sold it to many stations across the US. Like Top 40 radio, it was very popular because it did the job well. Even the theme song "Move Closer to Your World" was a product packaged and sold to various cities. Time has moved on (as it will) and now only WPVI in Philly and WNET in Scranton use it (according to Wikipedia). It's even been used by TV stations in foreign countries.

The trademark is now owned by some corporate conglomerate.

-- Mal

[mnhtnbb]

12. The ABC station for Raleigh/Durham also a target

Tell the FCC to Keep WTVD on the Air! | abc11.com https://share.google/KPUrO1CyRQUaqKT8g

[Bengus81]

13. So what are you going to do about it Disney? Going to stand up to this NAZI regime?