ABC has confirmed that Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin will return for *The View*’s 30th season, beginning on 8 September. The promotional video also promises a surprise during premiere week, as the long-running daytime programme reaches a significant milestone amid wider scrutiny of its political coverage.

Speculation has included a possible return by former co-host Rosie O’Donnell and reports linking former Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt to the panel, although neither has been confirmed. The new season arrives while ABC disputes an FCC investigation into whether the programme must comply with equal-time rules; the network has also urged viewers to submit comments to the regulator.