Rupert Murdoch sent a note to Fox News staff Thursday morning thanking employees for making the network the top-rated cable news channel.
Murdoch, who last summer stepped in to oversee Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network after the ouster of founding CEO Roger Ailes, also noted the success of Fox Business Network. There was no mention of the current problems facing the company since revelations April 1 that accusations of sexual harassment against Bill O’Reilly have resulted in settlement payments of $13 million.
O’Reilly is the network’s top-rated star and — along with Sean Hannity — the face of its primetime brand. His 8 p.m. show is the all-important lead-off to the channel’s formidable primetime lineup, one that has continued to thrive after the exit last January of Megyn Kelly.
O’Reilly is currently on a prescheduled vacation. He is due back April 24. His show, The O’Reilly Factor, has seen an advertiser revolt since the revelations. O’Reilly has denied all of the accusations.
Murdoch’s full memo below:
Colleagues,
As we enter this new spring season, I’d like to take the opportunity to wish those celebrating, a wonderful Passover and Easter holiday. The first few months of this year have already given us much to be thankful for. FOX News just delivered its highest-rated quarter ever and remains number one in cable in both prime time and total day, while FOX Business has surpassed CNBC as the number one business channel on television. I am tremendously proud of our entire team and truly grateful for the hard work everyone has contributed to ensure our continued future success.
Regards,
Rupert Murdoch
