Conservative megastar talk show host Bill O'Reilly has been dropped from the Fox News Channel lineup following an investigation into allegations of sexual
harassment, 21st Century Fox said Wednesday.
“After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel,” Fox's parent company said in a brief statement.
His abrupt dismissal ends O'Reilly's 21 years at the helm of The O'Reilly Factor, which started as The O'Reilly Report when the fledgling network began in 1996. He proved a steady ratings winner for the network over two decades and top ad generator, but also a lightning rod for controversy.
O'Reilly, 67, who recently signed a new multi-year contract worth more than $20 million a year, has been on vacation but was scheduled to return to the air Monday.
O'Reilly has steadfastly denied allegations of sexual impropriety as recently as this week when his attorney, Marc Kasowitz said, "there is obviously an orchestrated campaign by activists and lawyers to destroy Mr. O’Reilly and enrich themselves through publicity-driven donations.”
He will be replaced in the coveted 8 p.m. ET time slot by Tucker Carlson, NPR reported.
Read more:
Controversy has always hovered over O'Reilly's career
Bill O'Reilly takes break amid sponsor backlash
Bill O'Reilly's sexual harassment mess: Melinda Henneberger
The blunt, loud-talking O'Reilly weathered controversy in the past, including other allegations of sexual impropriety, but the latest round hit the Fox news empire in the pocketbook as more than more than 50 top-drawer companies have pulled their ads from the show.
The ad revolt followed a scathing article in The New York Times that reported O'Reilly or the company made payouts totaling about $13 million to five woman involving allegations of inappropriate behavior by him over several years.
In addition, two more women surfaced with new charges against O'Reilly.
“After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel,” Fox's parent company said in a brief statement.
His abrupt dismissal ends O'Reilly's 21 years at the helm of The O'Reilly Factor, which started as The O'Reilly Report when the fledgling network began in 1996. He proved a steady ratings winner for the network over two decades and top ad generator, but also a lightning rod for controversy.
O'Reilly, 67, who recently signed a new multi-year contract worth more than $20 million a year, has been on vacation but was scheduled to return to the air Monday.
O'Reilly has steadfastly denied allegations of sexual impropriety as recently as this week when his attorney, Marc Kasowitz said, "there is obviously an orchestrated campaign by activists and lawyers to destroy Mr. O’Reilly and enrich themselves through publicity-driven donations.”
He will be replaced in the coveted 8 p.m. ET time slot by Tucker Carlson, NPR reported.
Read more:
Controversy has always hovered over O'Reilly's career
Bill O'Reilly takes break amid sponsor backlash
Bill O'Reilly's sexual harassment mess: Melinda Henneberger
The blunt, loud-talking O'Reilly weathered controversy in the past, including other allegations of sexual impropriety, but the latest round hit the Fox news empire in the pocketbook as more than more than 50 top-drawer companies have pulled their ads from the show.
The ad revolt followed a scathing article in The New York Times that reported O'Reilly or the company made payouts totaling about $13 million to five woman involving allegations of inappropriate behavior by him over several years.
In addition, two more women surfaced with new charges against O'Reilly.
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