Fox cuts ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ over sexual harassment claims
Political commentator Bill O’Reilly has been assailed by a series of sexual harassment claims that have put him under investigation and led Fox News to end their contract with the show host.
“After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the company, and Bill O’Reilly himself have agreed that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning,” Fox News said to the New York Times.
The O’Reilly factor has been a highly rated show whose popularity grew even after the sexual harassment allegations that were first made. Exactly 3.71 million more viewers started watching the show as of April 11, according to The Washington Post.
Still, the show recently lost advertisers with more than 50 companies stepping away from the show including Advil, Jenny Craig, BMW, and Mercedes.
Several women have spoken out about the harassment that O’Reilly has allegedly done for years behind the scenes of 21st Century Fox. One by the name of Perquita Burgess made an appearance on The View April 20 stating that during her time as a temp, O’Reilly once called her “hot chocolate.” She elaborated saying, “He always walked past my desk and he made, like, a grunting noise.”
This is not the first time Fox has had sexual harassment claims made. Correspondent Megyn Kelly reportedly made claims that Fox News chief Roger Ailes sexually harassed her. This report was made at the end of last year with more women continuing to expose harassment in the workplace. It has only been the latest report within the last couple of months, as Ailes’ been dismissed also.
The Murdoch family, who runs Fox News, is trying to create a better and more desirable image for the company. Payouts related to sexual harassment allegations can cost more than $85 million, while O’Reilly is reportedly receiving a payout from Fox News of up to $25 million. The financial terms of the exit package O’Reilly is receiving are not exact but the Fox company will provide them in the near future.