Bill O'Reilly's 21-year run at Fox News has officially ended amid a swirling storm of sexual harassment allegations.
In a statement released Wednesday, parent company 21st Century Fox announced: "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 host of "The O'Reilly Factor" has been mired in scandal since a New York Times report on April 1 revealed that he and Fox News have paid about $13 million in settlements with women who have accused him of sexual harassment or abusive behavior dating back to 2002.
O'Reilly has been off the air since last Wednesday, taking what was billed a planned two-week Easter vacation. He told viewers he would return to his show on April 24, but instead will be replaced by Tucker Carlson, who currently hosts the time slot that followed O'Reilly.
The decision to fire O'Reilly was a complicated one for Fox News because he is the network's most popular anchor. But as public outrage mounted, advertisers revolted and new allegations of inappropriate behavior surfaced, it became clear to the Murdochs that the company could no longer afford to back him.
Fox News said "The Factor" will continue for the remainder of this week with guest hosts Dana Perino Wednesday and Thursday night and Greg Gutfeld on Friday night. Additionally, "The Five" will move into the 9 p.m. time slot starting Monday.
O'Reilly has hosted "The O'Reilly Factor" since 1996. With a ruthlessly aggressive, and politically hawkish, approach, he turned it into Fox News' top-rated program. And his viewers have been fiercely loyal. Even during the recent controversy, ratings for the show ticked upward.
Last week, the Murdochs enlisted the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to conduct an investigation into O'Reilly's behavior after one woman, who had detailed her allegations to The Times, called the company's hotline to report her complaints. Another complaint was reported on Tuesday, according to the lawyer who represents the woman making the allegations.
