Fox News Fires Bill O’Reilly Following $13 Million In Sexual Harassment Payments

BY James Kosur April 19, 2017

Bill Oreilly fired

Bill O’Reilly is one less factor Fox News will have to worry about moving forward. In a shocking twist of fate, the conservative talk show host has been removed from the network following dozens of allegations that he sexually harassed women at the network. O’Reilly and his production company have paid out $13 million to women who have come forward.

Parent company 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.”

The Murdoch family, owners of the 21st Century Fox empire, came to the conclusion on Tuesday night and announced their decision the following day.

O’Reilly has been off the air since last Wednesday, part of what was billed a planned vacation around the Easter holiday. He was scheduled to return to his 8 p.m. show “The O’Reilly Factor” on April 24.

The TV talk show host rose to fame nearly 20 years ago by offering his own brash take on conservative politics. He is known for inviting many of his detractors onto his show and then now allowing them to get a word in edgewise.

The former conservative talk show host came under fire earlier in the month when The New York Times reported that five women have received payments of about $13 million in exchange for agreeing not to pursue litigation or speak about accusations related to sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.

On Tuesday, his attorney said O’Reilly was the victim of a “smear campaign” that would soon be revealed as a liberal-left plot to discredit the former Fox News talk show host.

Because of the allegations and payments made to his victims, dozens of blue chip advertisers pulled their funding for his program, insisting that their ads run elsewhere on Fox News’ programming schedule.

You may recall that former Fox News founder and CEO Roger Ailes was ousted last year over allegations of gross misconduct involving sexual harassment.

Another Fox News employee called a corporate hotline in 2016 to claim that there were “intolerable workplace conditions” for her and other female employees as Fox News.

Fox News now has a big hole to fill as the “O’Reilly Factor” brought in an average of 3 million and 4 million viewers each night.

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