ABC (American Broadcasting Company) is one of the major broadcast television networks in the United States, owned by The Walt Disney Company since 1996.

Political Programming

ABC News has been a significant player in political journalism, hosting presidential debates, election coverage, and maintaining news bureaus worldwide. The network’s political coverage includes:

• World News Tonight: Flagship evening newscast
• Good Morning America: Morning news program with political segments
• This Week: Sunday political talk show
• Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Late-night comedy show with political commentary

Digital Evolution

ABC transitioned to digital platforms in the 2000s, developing robust online news presence and streaming capabilities. The network expanded its political content across digital platforms while maintaining traditional broadcast dominance.

Government Relations

As a broadcast network, ABC operates under FCC licensing requirements and regulatory oversight, making it subject to government pressure on content decisions in ways that differ from cable or streaming platforms.

Recent Developments

The network faced significant controversy in 2025 when it suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following political pressure over the host’s comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, marking a notable moment in government-media relations.

Content Moderation

Unlike digital platforms, ABC’s content decisions are influenced by:

• FCC broadcast standards and licensing requirements
• Advertiser relationships and boycott pressure
• Station affiliate relationships and local community standards
• Corporate parent company (Disney) brand considerations