O’Reilly ‘back to cable news’
BILL O’Reilly is in talks to head back to cable news in his old 8 p.m. slot, but this time at Newsmax TV, sources exclusively tell Page Six.
A year after O’Reilly’s abrupt exit from Fox News, where he was the top-rated host in cable news, the controversial anchor — who was forced out after the disclosure of sexual-harassment allegations and settlements paid to alleged victims — is in advanced discussions with Newsmax about developing a new show, we’re told.
Newsmax is also chasing other former Fox News talent — Greta Van Susteren and Eric Bolling have been approached to join as hosts of hourlong shows in prime time. Bolling already has a deal with CRTV for a digital show.
Adding to the Newsmax mix could be former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who we’re told is set to star on a politically focused late-night panel show.
An insider told Page Six, “The deals are not done yet, but talks are in the advanced stages, certainly with O’Reilly. The thinking is, following a 6 p.m. news show, Greta would anchor the 7 p.m. hour, O’Reilly would be back at 8 p.m., and Bolling could smoothly continue on at 9 p.m. Spicer and his cohorts would go on at 10 p.m., with the later slot allowing the show to be looser. But the deals are not yet signed and sealed.”
The O’Reilly talks progressed as veteran news exec Michael Clemente, Fox News’ for- mer executive vice president of news, joined Newsmax Broadcasting as CEO in April. Since his Fox News ouster, O’Reilly, 68, has laid low at his Montauk home, working on his books, with Newsmax and his own Web site airing his show “No Spin News.” But a return to 8 p.m. could put him in an interesting head-to-head battle with his Fox replacement, Tucker Carlson.
Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy — a close friend of President Trump’s — has said his goal is to bill Newsmax TV as “a kinder, gentler” version of Fox News. It runs on cable and streams free online. Clemente declined to comment and Ruddy didn’t call back. O’Reilly’s manager Evan Bell could not be reached.