Yesterday, Fox News Channel lost their biggest star, Bill O’Reilly, and cancelled one of the top-rated TV shows on cable, The O’Reilly Factor. Back in March 2015, it was reported that the series had spent 60 consecutive quarters as number one in the 25-54 demographic.
O’Reilly’s firing came less than three weeks after The New York Times reported that O’Reilly and Fox had over the course of the past 15 years, paid out nearly $13 million to settle five cases of sexual and other harassment against the host. Following the news, as many as 90 advertisers pulled their commercials from The O’Reilly Factor. It’s unclear if they pulled their spots from the cable channel entirely or just shifted them to other Fox News programs.
O’Reilly announced he was going on a two-week vacation and would return on April 24th. After investigating the allegations, Fox News’ parent company, 21st Century Fox, announced yesterday that O’Reilly would not be returning to the cable channel.
Here’s O’Reilly’s statement regarding his dismissal:
Over the past 20 years at Fox News I have been extremely proud to launch and lead one of the most successful news programs in history, which has consistently informed and entertained millions of Americans and significantly contributed to building Fox into the dominant news network in television. It is tremendously disheartening that we part ways due to completely unfounded claims. But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today.
I will always look back on my time with Fox with great pride in the unprecedented success we achieved and with my deepest gratitude to all my dedicated viewers. I wish only the best for Fox News Channel.
Deadline obtained a copy of Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch’s memo to Fox News staffers:
Dear Colleagues:
I would like to address questions about Bill O’Reilly’s future at Fox News. After a thorough and careful review of allegations against him, the Company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Mr. O’Reilly will not return to the Fox News Channel.
This decision follows an extensive review done in collaboration with outside counsel.
By ratings standards, Bill O’Reilly is one of the most accomplished TV personalities in the history of cable news. In fact, his success by any measure is indisputable. Fox News has demonstrated again and again the strength of its talent bench. We have full confidence that the network will continue to be a powerhouse in cable news. Please see attached for our new programming line-up.
Most importantly, we want to underscore our consistent commitment to fostering a work environment built on the values of trust and respect.
I understand how difficult this has been for many of you. Thank you for your hard work, patience, and for the great job you all do delivering news and opinion to millions of Americans whose trust you earn every day. I look forward to even more success in the coming years.
Best,
Rupert Murdoch
What do you think? Do you think that O’Reilly should have been fired from Fox News? Do you think this move will help or hurt the channel? If you are a viewer, will you still watch Fox News?
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I miss watching the O’Reilly Factor. He was great at his reporting and we need him back. Put Tucker back at 9 p.m. and put The Five back at 5 p.m. or put them in McCallum’s spot. She’s okay, but doesn’t match up to the others. Bill O’Reilly should never have been let go. The Murdock Brothers fell apart when the left bombarded them.
No-No- No. Fox turning into ABC, NBC, CBS?? We need another view point and
O’Reilly was it. I won’t be able to watch Fox as much as I did in the past.
Bill O’Reilly is the best news commentator/journalist out there today bar none!! I think Fox made a major mistake letting him go. He was truly the most fair and balanced, no spin reporter there was. Bill is really needed to break down the craziness, losing him just adds more chaos!!
Absolutely not! He should not have been fired. He is the victim of a bunch of feminists who want to be in the arena but can’t compete fairly. If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
No he should not have been fired. He asked, she said no. The End.
This is more about attacking FOX News. Silence conservatives.
Yes! Bill ORilley had to be fired. What if this happened to your daughter, mother or sister? This guy should not be in the position to do it again. Listen, if anyone on my job did this they would be gone in a heartbeat. Just because the guy is a TV star with money should not make any difference.
DID WHAT??!!! He asked Ms Walsh to go to his hotel room. He was single. She was single. And after she said “no,” he left her alone. Now, was she “punished” via no more appearances on O’Reilly’s program? Maybe, but if the “assault” was so egregious, why did she care. Something wrong with her story. Me? I think O’Reilly is as arrogant and opinionated a blowhard as you can find on T.V. But if he likes someone’s legs, so what ? One of the great things about Fox are the intelligent and good looking women on the network. Anyone think… Read more »
Oh please! Men (and women) in all industries try whatever they could…even in the business world, entertainment, etc. It’s up to the adult people to say “no” and stand by it!
He should not have been fired. This was a matter, if true, that should be settled in the judicial court, not the court of public opinion. His program was fair, balanced and informative. His departure leaves a big hole in fair and balanced news reporting. I believe Fox will regret this decision in the long run.
Yes he needed to go, just like Bill Cosby , if that many women are coming forward then there is a problem. But I forget, Bill ORilley is WHITE and BIll Cosby was Black. Double standards are why we are a divided nation. Both of these men have an inflated sense of self, and thought they could do what ever they wanted and the Public would not care.
Bill Cosby drugged and raped women (allegedly). Bill O’Reilly hit on some co-workers. Please tell me you understand the difference? And there is evidence for what Cosby did. It is just accusations and assumptions for O’Reilly.
Mr. Reilly was a victim of the liberal media. They finally got rid of him. One of the women accusing him was upset because he called her hot chocolate. I would think that a compliment as I really like hot chocolate. Doe women are always looking for a cause or think they are being picked on. If I had that attitude I would never had my favorite job. There were q4 men in thedept and 3 women. Of ore we teased but it wasslways taken with a ense of humor. Something that has left us a sense of humor. Guess… Read more »
Bill O’Reilly had to go. He really isn’t a very nice guy. With all the women coming forward an the actions in his private life. It was his time to go.
We still haven’t seen any proof. In the United States aren’t we considered innocent until proven guilty? There are plenty of liberals out to get him. I love his talking points memos, most of the time they are right on. Sexual harassment is such an objective accusation.
You don’t need any proof for the left-wing liberals to destroy anybody. If a left wing liberal says it. IT HAS to be true. Yeah Right.
If O’Reilly is guilty of repeatedly sexually harassing women, then he should be fired. This is behavior that should never be tolerated – toward men or women. If he’s just an old-fashioned guy who didn’t realize how hurtful and inappropriate behavior that was once tolerated in the dark ages is, it seems Fox would have sent him to some seminars rather than pay millions to avoid lawsuits. As smart as he appears to be he should have caught on – unless this is a behavior requiring serious counseling and a willingness to change . If the charges were false, then… Read more »
It’s obviously common practice with him. Fox would not she’ll out 13 million if he was innocent. There were numerous complaints and he needed to go.
No, I do not believe he should have been fired. Have not watched Fox since it happened either. It’s a shame too, I like Tucker. Tired of all this craziness.
How can I cancel all Fox/21 Century news products
Ron, I just turn off the channel to something else now.
No I looked forward to Bill he educates the public just like the old school the Democrat are not the same years ago and they are nasty rich and do t care who they destroy Bill was number one and it will take a lot to take his place the demigod don’t want real honest stories because they still think like kik where they started from Bill was a credit to fox and fox should be lucky they stayed number one dye to Bill O’Reilly. I’m not liking that bob belle is back on the five I will not watch… Read more »
No, Bill O’Reilly has always presented himself as an upfront guy who presents the news fairly with no Spin. It is unfortunate that woman are so sensitive these day to any compliment or comments, so I don’t believe the alleged charges against Bill are true. I also believe that some of the women making the accusations are from the far left with an agenda to bring him down. Since The Factor been taken off the air, America has lost a great voice of truth and freedom. Thankfully, Bill O’Reilly continues his views and commentaries online. Search for him.
Good to know Bill’s online. Thanks.