Fox News Channel Co-President Bill Shine, who was promoted last year after his boss Roger Ailes was ousted over sexual harassment allegations, has resigned and will leave the company in the next few weeks.
Fox News confirmed Shine’s resignation on Monday after a week of increasing speculation about the executive’s future at the network, which recently lost Bill O’Reilly – its most popular host – and continues to be hit by lawsuits.
“This is a significant day for all at FOX News,” Rupert Murdoch, the Co-Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox, said in a statement. “Bill has played a huge role in building FOX News to its present position as the nation’s biggest and most important cable channel in the history of the industry.”
Shine, who has been with Fox News since its inception, was accused by several women of covering up the alleged sexual harassment of his former boss. Shine had a close relationship to Ailes and some had questioned the company’s decision to promote him rather than someone with no affiliation with Ailes.
As co-president, Shine oversaw both Fox News Channel (FNC) and the Fox Business Network (FBN), dividing the responsibilities for all facets of the networks with Jack Abernethy, who is serving as the other co-president.
Prior to his promotion last year, Shine served as Senior Executive Vice President of Programming since August 2014, running all programming and synergies for FNC and FBN. Prior to that, Shine oversaw all opinion programming and production as an Executive Vice President.
Shine notably launched a new primetime line-up in the fall of 2013, which included the debut of “The Kelly File,” which became the second-highest rated show in cable news behind only “The O’Reilly Factor.” Both shows have since ended.
Shine began his career at Fox News Channel as a producer of “Hannity & Colmes” when the network launched in October 1996. The show’s former co-host, Sean Hannity, defended Shine in a series of tweets last week, saying Shine’s ouster would be “the total end of the FNC as we know it.”
As part of Monday’s shakeup, Fox News Executive Vice President Suzanne Scott will become President of Programming, while Executive Vice President of News Jay Wallace will become President of News. Jack Abernethy remains Co-President of FOX News and chief executive officer of Fox Television Stations.
“Suzanne and Jay are recognized industry leaders. They have both played a large part in assembling the deepest bench of talented broadcasters and journalists,” Murdoch said in his statement. “They will lead FOX News to an even more successful future.”
Last month, Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly, one of America’s most popular hosts, was ousted over allegations of harassment, even though O’Reilly has strongly denied the claims. The company praised O’Reilly but said it is committed to fostering a work environment “built on the values of trust and respect.”
Fox News is facing a number of lawsuits over alleged harassment and discrimination.
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