Disney is set to face an unusual broadcast license review ordered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). However, legal experts believe the company has a robust defense against such a move following changes made to the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

The amendment, which was championed by the National Association of Broadcasters, significantly increased the difficulty for the FCC to revoke or deny broadcast licenses. Under this law, the burden on the FCC to show that a broadcaster has engaged in 'willful or repeated' violations is almost impossible to satisfy.

Although broadcasters typically operate under the 'public interest' standard set by the act, the new legislation imposes stricter limits on the FCC's ability to cancel licenses. This means Disney can argue effectively against any attempts to revoke its licenses through legal channels.

The decision by the FCC came in response to calls for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel over a joke mocking Melania Trump at a White House Correspondents' dinner. While early renewal is rarely used as a tactic, it may serve as a preliminary step in a broader strategy against the network.