Retirement for O’Reilly? He’ll have other options
NEWYORK — Chances are you haven’t heard the last of Bill O’Reilly. He’ll have options, and retirement seems unlikely.
At least three conser vative news outlets are eager to speak with him. O’Reilly, the top cable news personality for two decades until Fox News Channel fired him this week following harassment claims by women, would be a game-changer for any company trapped in Fox’s shadow.
“He’s an incredible, unparalleled, unchallenged talent and I would be very eager to discuss the possibility of him on Newsmax,” said Chris Ruddy, CEO of the Florida-based media company. “I think he has been unfairly treated.”
Another right-leaning outlet, One Americ a News Net work, has been inundated with emails from O’Reilly fans who want their hero back on television, said Robert Herring Sr., the net work’s founder and CEO.
O’Reilly’s representatives had no comment Friday on his plans.
The 67-year-old host, despite his reported $25 million payout from Fox, doesn’t seem ready for a rocking chair. He had just signed a contract extension to keep him on Fox into 2021.
O’Reilly drew an audience of 4 million viewers a night in the opening weeks of the Trump administration, his best ever. He’s a fighter who continues to maintain the accusations against him are unfounded.
“He’s been known for pushing back really hard,” said CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell, speaking Friday at Variety magazine’s Power of Women event. “It will be interesting to see what Bill does next and what he says next about what all has transpired.”
One thing seems certain: he won’t be in a studio next to O’Donnell or any other mainstream media operation, including Fox rivals CNN and MSNBC. His image is too toxic.
“Who needs women protesting out in front of your building?” said one executive, who spoke under condition of anonymity.
The accusations didn’t seem to hurt O’Reilly with his fans. During hi s only full week on the air between The New York Times story detailing settlements reached with five women and his firing, O’Reilly’s ratings went up.
Herring said he hadn’t examined the validity of claims against O’Reilly.
“Clearly, Mr. O’Reilly should have the opportunity to address the accusations made against him,” he said. “I also recognize anyone expressing a viewpoint can come under attack and Bill has been a big target for years due to his top-rated political talk show. From the top down, our organization doesn’t tolerate discriminatory or inappropriate behavior of any kind.”
He said he believed O’Reilly has a future in television.
Ruddy said he believed Newsmax’s populist leanings were a good match with O’Reilly’s. The host essentially put Fox on the map, and has the opportunity to lead another media revolution with Newsmax’s plans to establish itself as the go-to conservative stream for mobile devices, he said.