Bill Shine quits at Fox News
News host Sean Hannity took to Twitter last week in support of Shine after reports began to hint of his potential ouster. “Somebody HIGH UP AND INSIDE FNC is trying to get an innocent person fired,” he tweeted.
Fox is promoting two execs as Fox News presidents. Scott, who joined Fox News in 1996 and had been executive VP, is now president of programming for Fox News Channel.
Jay Wallace, who also joined in 1996 and was formerly the executive VP of news, is now president of news for Fox News Channel. They join Abernethy, who remains co-president of Fox News and CEO of Fox Television Stations.
“Suzanne and Jay are recognized industry leaders,” Rupert Murdoch, chairman of 21st Century Fox, said in a statement.
“They have both played a large part in assembling the deepest bench of talented broadcasters and journalists. They will lead Fox News to an even more successful future.”
About Shine, Murdoch said in a statement to employees:
“Sadly, Bill Shine resigned today. I know Bill was respected and liked by everybody at Fox News. We will all miss him. ... Fox News continues to break both viewing and revenue records, for which I thank you all. I am sure we can do even better.”
Last week, Murdoch went to lunch with Shine and Abernathy in Manhattan, an obvious show of support from the chairman.
But later in the week, reports emerged that Murdoch was looking for a female executive to help run Fox News.
Fox has been under fire as charges of misconduct with the organization mounted and new charges continued to be filed against Ailes after his departure. And The New York Times reported in April that Fox and O’Reilly had paid $13 million over the years to settle sexual harassment accusations from several women.
Subsequently, dozens of advertisers left The O’Reilly Factor, which he hosted for 21 years.