Ousted TV host Bill O’Reilly to get US$25 million payout from Fox after exit from top-rated show

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An image of Bill O’Reilly is seen at Fox News headquarters in Midtown Manhattan. The host of the top-rated show is said to be getting up to US$25 million to leave the company following numerous claims of sexual harassment and subsequent legal settlements. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:07am, 21 Apr 2017Updated: 7:35am, 21 Apr 2017

Bill O’Reilly, who was ousted Wednesday from his top-rated TV show on Fox News over allegations of sexual harassment, will receive almost US$25 million for agreeing to leave the company, according to a person familiar with the matter.

O’Reilly was one of the highest-paid TV show anchors, and this year struck a new deal that paid him between US$20 million to US$25 million, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The new contract limited any payout to one year’s salary rather than the total due for the full term, the person said.

Protestors from the National Organisation for Women of New York hold a protest in front of the News Corporation Headquarters in New York April 20 , 2017 the morning after Fox News officially cut ties with Bill O’Reilly over sexual harassment allegations. Photo: AFP

The payout is less than the US$40 million 21st Century Fox Inc. had to pay Fox News co-founder Roger Ailes to depart last year after he was accused of sexual harassment.

A white board is seen where a poster for former Fox News Channel TV anchor Bill O'Reilly used to hang outside Fox News Channel and News Corporation Headquarters in New York City. Photo: Reuters

With one of the most loyal audiences in TV, Fox News has maintained its lead in the ratings race despite an internal crisis that began last year when Ailes was accused of sexual harassment, leading to his ouster from the network he helped create.

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