Disney, ABC sue US regulator over threats to broadcast licenses

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Disney and its ABC unit on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission to stop its early license review of Disney's eight ABC stations, saying it is a bid by the Trump administration to punish the network.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged broadcasters to drop comedy or news programs he dislikes or which have been critical, pressing the FCC on numerous occasions to revoke ABC's licenses.

Disney said in the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, that the FCC aims to coerce and retaliate "against a network that refuses to bow to the administration’s demands."