FCC under fire: probes into ABC/The View over equal-time and license renewals amid Trump-era clashes with broadcasters. U.S. regulator shaping TV rules.
The Justice Department has closed its eight‑month antitrust review and concluded Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is not likely to harm competition in streaming, linear TV or theatrical film markets. The federal approval arrives as state attorneys general and regulators in the UK and EU continue their probes and as questions persist over foreign financing and newsroom independence.
As of April 28, 2026, FCC Chair Brendan Carr has issued warnings to US broadcasters that they must "correct course" on coverage of the US-Israel war with Iran or risk losing their licenses. This follows President Trump's accusations on Truth Social that Western media outlets are spreading AI-generated falsehoods about the conflict. Critics have condemned Carr's threats as a risk to press freedom during a deeply unpopular war.
NASA is preparing to launch Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972, targeting April 1, 2026. The mission will send four astronauts—three Americans and one Canadian—on a nearly 10-day flight orbiting the Moon without landing. The launch follows delays caused by hydrogen leaks and helium line clogs. Meanwhile, NASA is overhauling its lunar program, focusing on a surface base and nuclear propulsion demonstrations by 2028.
The FCC has updated its 'Covered List' to block new consumer routers produced outside the US, citing national security risks. Existing models remain usable, but future imports will require approval. The move aims to reduce vulnerabilities exploited by foreign actors, especially China-based manufacturers like TP-Link.
The DOJ is examining whether the NFL's broadcast and streaming practices are anti-competitive, amid rising costs for consumers and concerns over the shifting sports media landscape. The investigation follows recent reports of high subscription fees and regulatory scrutiny of the league's exemption from antitrust laws.
A U.S. District Court has issued a preliminary injunction that prevents Nexstar and Tegna from merging amid ongoing legal challenges. The court finds that the merger is likely to harm competition, increase consumer costs, and reduce local journalism. The companies have already completed the deal but are now halted pending further legal proceedings.
The Supreme Court has upheld the FCC’s in-house penalty system, ruling 8-1 that carriers AT&T and Verizon have not been deprived of their right to a jury trial. The decision centers on whether forfeiture orders require a jury, with a majority led by Chief Justice Roberts arguing that the agency’s findings do not bar court challenges over collection of penalties.