By Lydia O’Connor , Michael Calderone 4/19/17
Bill O’Reilly will no longer be employed at Fox News, 21st Century Fox said in a statement Wednesday. The decision comes after allegations of him sexually harassing female colleagues prompted protests outside network headquarters and a mass exodus from advertisers.
 |
| Bill O'Reilly |
It’s an unceremonious departure for O’Reilly, who had hosted the top-rated cable news show since its inception more than 20 years ago. His stunning exit mirrors that of former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, who launched Fox News in 1996 and abruptly left the network last summer amid widespread sexual harassment allegations.
Following a bombshell New York Times report earlier this month indicating O’Reilly and Fox News have paid around $13 million in settlements to address complaints brought by five of his former female colleagues, advertisers began fleeing the show. Within days, more than 50 companies announced they would no longer air spots during the show.
Rumblings that O’Reilly would be ousted began mid-April when he said he was taking a vacation. New York magazine reported that Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of parent company 21st Century Fox, had advocated for keeping O’Reilly on board, while sons James and Lachlan had pushed for his departure.
Though 21st Century Fox had pledged to clean up Fox News following the Ailes scandal, the Times revealed that the company continued to privately settle lawsuits with O’Reilly accusers and even renewed the host’s contract, reportedly at more than $20 million a year.
The entertainment and media giant presumably stuck with O’Reilly because he has been a cash cow for Fox News. He’s the linchpin of the network’s primetime lineup and his top-rated show is major draw when it comes to negotiating fees to carry the channel with cable and satellite providers. And “The O’Reilly Factor” brought in around $111 million in advertising dollars over a three-year period. more
No comments:
Post a Comment