FCC Eyes Big Action Against ‘The View’ and Jimmy Kimmel Over GOP Airtime Rules
With election season around the corner, with this year’s midterms, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and commissioner Brendan Carr are aiming for shows like ABC’s “The View” and late-night shows like NBC’s “Tonight Show” starring Jimmy Kimmel.
FCC Targets “The View” and “Tonight Show” with Jimmy Kimmel
The agency released new guidelines on Wednesday that stipulate that the talk shows will have to comply with equal time rules. The agency stated, as reported by Variety, that the talk shows are not considered “bona fide” news programs, and could be compelled to map out equal airtime to candidates with opposing worldviews.
The announcement comes at a time for networks that have long treated political conversations on daytime and late-night talk shows as exempt from the equal-time rule. That rule requires broadcasters to offer comparable opportunities to legally qualified candidates if one candidate is given airtime outside of a recognized news context.
ABC, CBS, and NBC have declined to comment on the new guideline rules. It remains to be seen how networks respond to the new rules. Some networks and station groups may reassess how political interviews are conducted on entertainment-oriented programs. Some may choose to adjust their formats or seek formal clarification from the agency to avoid potential disputes
New Scrutiny Guidelines for The Talk Shows
For years, talk shows have featured elected officials, candidates, and other political figures without triggering equal-time obligations. Under the agency’s interpretation, if such appearances are deemed entertainment-driven rather than journalistic, stations airing the programs could be required to offer equal time to opposing candidates. The new guidance suggests that such a program may no longer be automatically treated as a news interview format under agency precedent.
In a document, as reported by the LA Times, the Media Bureau stated, “A program that is motivated by partisan purposes, for example, would not be entitled to an exemption under longstanding FCC precedent.” The notice arrives during a period of heightened regulatory attention under Carr. Since assuming the role last year, Carr has initiated several inquiries involving major broadcast groups and companies
Guidelines Raise Questions for Equal-Time Guidance
The agency is signaling a shift in how it evaluates political appearances on broadcast talk shows, raising new questions for talk show platforms. In addition, Carr also delayed approval of Paramount Global’s sale to Skydance Media until after Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump.
The settlement totaled $16 million. The new guideline rules could have practical implications for shows that frequently host political guests. “The View” and “The Tonight Show” have interviewed political figures over the years. In cases of uncertainty of whether a particular segment qualifies for the exemption, broadcast may likely have to seek advice from the FCC.
The advisory is expected to prompt internal reviews within some station groups, especially those that air programs with frequent political content. The move may likely create feelings of anxiety and may provoke some TV stations to criticize shows that take deep dives into politics. The equal time rule does not apply to news events, documentaries, or interviews that meet the “bona fide” standard.
Historically, programs that include political interviews as part of their regular format have been granted broad latitude by the FCC. However, that may change as the new guidelines suggest that the agency may evaluate the program more closely, particularly when the tone or structure resembles entertainment rather than news.
It remains to be seen how the impact of the new guidelines will be felt across broadcast networks covering politics. For now, the Media Bureau’s notice serves as a reminder that the equal-time rule remains in effect and that exemptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
