(Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
After two decades as a highly influential news commentator, Bill O’Reilly has been forced out of his position as Fox News prime-time host following sexual harassment allegations. Fox New’s parent 21st Century Fox issued a statement declaring, “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 has stood by O’Reilly throughout the allegations and even extended his contract with the knowledge of complaints about his behavior. Among a number of allegations, O’Reilly settled harassment cases with five women, totalling about $13 million. Following, women’s rights groups demanded O’Reilly be fired and over 50 advertisers abandoned his show. This pressured Fox enough to finally drop him, even though O’Reilly denies all allegations.
Having anchored his show The O’Reilly Factor for the past twenty years, O’Reilly has proved to be among the most popular commentators on television. Subtracting O’Reilly from Fox News will certainly have an impact on the company, as his show reportedly brought in $111 million over three years.
Among the companies that pulled ads from the O’Reilly Factor was Mercedes who stated, “The allegations are disturbing and, given the importance of women in every aspect of our business, we don’t feel this is a good environment in which to advertise our products right now.”
Alanna Shingler Staff Reporter