Bill O’Reilly has been terminated by the Fox News network amidst sexual harassment allegations. For the past 15 years, he hosted the most-watched cable news program and served as the face of Fox News since the network’s launch in 1996.
“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,” parent company 21st Century Fox said in a statement on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that O’Reilly and Fox News paid a collective $13 million to five women who alleged O’Reilly had harassed them. With the money came the agreement that the women would not file lawsuits or speak publicly about their allegations.
Following the report, O’Reilly saw a boost in ratings before signing off last Tuesday for what the network called a “long-planned vacation.” Despite increased viewers, dozens of advertisers pulled their commercials from “The O’Reilly Factor” because of the allegations.
O’Reilly is the fourth Fox News personality to be cut or leave in the past year, along with former Chairman Roger Ailes and former hosts Greta Van Susteren and Megyn Kelly.