Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr is raising the possibility that ABC’s daytime talk show “The View” could face scrutiny under federal broadcasting rules.
Speaking on Scott Jennings’ podcast, Carr questioned whether the program still qualifies as a bona fide news show, which would exempt it from the FCC’s equal time requirements for political candidates.
Carr explained that while some programs, such as late-night talk shows, are generally considered bona fide news, daytime programs blending commentary with entertainment may not automatically meet that standard.
“You could potentially make the case that it’s a news program, but I’m not certain,” he said, noting that reviewing such shows is a “worthwhile” effort to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.
The FCC’s equal time rule mandates that broadcast license holders provide balanced access to political candidates, though bona fide news programs, news interviews and documentaries are exempt.
Carr emphasized that his interest is in evaluating whether programs like “The View” still qualify for that exemption given their mix of interviews, discussion and entertainment.
The remarks follow Carr’s recent criticism of ABC after the network suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show.
Kimmel had made false statements regarding the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, prompting the FCC chair to publicly question whether broadcast networks are applying rules consistently.
Carr differentiated between late-night shows, which usually qualify as news and daytime talk programs, which may fall into a gray area.
Research from the Media Research Center illustrates a partisan imbalance on “The View.”
In the first half of 2025, the program hosted 63 liberal guests, including nine Democratic politicians, but did not feature any right-leaning political figures, Trending Politics notes.
A White House spokesperson had previously warned the network that continued bias could result in regulatory consequences.
Industry insiders suggest that ABC may need to adjust the show’s lineup or add conservative voices to address potential FCC expectations.
An entertainment lawyer told Fox News that Carr’s concern is ensuring that programs claiming news status do not favor one political perspective, rather than targeting entertainment content itself.
Carr has previously scrutinized networks over equal time compliance.
In 2024, he criticized NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” following an appearance by then-Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the election, calling it a “blatant effort” to bypass the FCC’s rules. The Conservative Brief reports that NBC later granted equal time to the Trump campaign.
The FCC’s regulations apply to broadcast license holders, not cable or streaming platforms.
As a result, programs like “The View,” which mix political commentary, interviews and entertainment, may now be reviewed more closely to determine if they remain exempt under the bona fide news designation.
The review could also examine whether guest selection and topic coverage maintain impartiality as required under FCC guidelines.
ABC has not issued a public response to Carr’s remarks.
Observers note that a formal review could influence the way daytime talk shows cover political topics and select guests, particularly as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Carr’s comments highlight ongoing attention to media bias, political commentary and adherence to federal broadcasting standards, raising questions about the future oversight of programs that straddle the line between news and entertainment.
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