Bill O’Reilly, the former host of Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor, was once considered the “king of cable news” However, his high-paying job at Fox ended in 2017 after numerous sexual harassment allegations surfaced against him O’Reilly’s salary and severance package sparked much controversy and debate.
O’Reilly’s Salary at Fox News
For many years, Bill O’Reilly was the biggest star at Fox News From 2009 to 2017, he hosted the highly popular O’Reilly Factor show. During his tenure at Fox, O’Reilly became the network’s most valuable television personality
In 2017, it was revealed that O’Reilly’s annual salary was approximately $18 million per year. This made him the highest-paid person on Fox News. His lucrative contract was renewed even after former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes was dismissed for sexual harassment allegations.
O’Reilly’s high salary raised some eyebrows, considering the average pay for cable news hosts was around $5 million per year. However, Fox argued that O’Reilly’s show generated huge advertising revenues for the network. The O’Reilly Factor commanded premium ad rates and attracted over 4 million viewers each night.
Controversy Over O’Reilly’s Contract Renewal
In early 2017, O’Reilly and Fox News renewed his contract, despite the mounting sexual harassment allegations against him. This caused controversy both publicly and internally at Fox.
The New York Times revealed that O’Reilly and Fox had settled five sexual harassment lawsuits totaling $13 million. Critics argued that Fox should not have rewarded O’Reilly with a contract renewal given the circumstances.
There was also pushback from activists like the National Organization for Women, who called for O’Reilly to be fired immediately. Over 50 companies pulled their ads from O’Reilly’s show in response to the harassment charges.
Inside Fox News, morale was low as many employees were unhappy with the network’s decision to re-sign O’Reilly. There was a sense of injustice that he continued to be highly compensated despite the harassment issues.
Advertiser Boycott Leads to O’Reilly’s Dismissal
As the backlash intensified, more than 60 companies pulled their ads from The O’Reilly Factor. The advertising boycott was estimated to have cost Fox News over $13 million in lost revenue.
This financial impact, along with the continuous negative publicity, led Fox to sever ties with O’Reilly. In April 2017, the network announced that O’Reilly would not be returning to the air.
His departure was unceremonious for someone who had been Fox’s top talent for over two decades. However, the network determined the reputational damage from the sexual harassment scandal was too great.
O’Reilly’s Controversial $25 Million Severance
After his dismissal from Fox News, it was revealed that O’Reilly received a severance payout of approximately $25 million. This massive exit package was specified in his contract renewal earlier that year.
O’Reilly’s lavish severance provoked outrage from critics. They argued it sent the wrong message and rewarded the broadcaster even after his misconduct led to his downfall.
There was debate over whether parent company 21st Century Fox should have granted O’Reilly such a large payout given the circumstances around his termination. From a business perspective, Fox likely wanted to avoid a legal battle by honoring the contract.
But activists and Fox employees felt enabling O’Reilly to leave with over $25 million was unethical. The size of his severance highlighted just how profitable of an asset O’Reilly was for Fox News over the years.
Salary History and Net Worth
Over his two-decade career at Fox, Bill O’Reilly built immense wealth through his high salaries. Here is a look at his Fox News salary progression:
- 1996 to 2002: $2 million per year
- 2002 to 2006: $5 million per year
- 2006 to 2009: $10 million per year
- 2009 to 2017: $18 million per year
In total, O’Reilly earned over $85 million in his final 6 years at Fox alone according to financial analysts. When combined with his lucrative severance, his career earnings at the network likely exceeded $120 million.
Today, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Bill O’Reilly’s total net worth to be around $85 million. The bulk of his current net worth comes from his time at Fox News. He continues to earn income from books, podcasts, and other ventures after leaving cable news.
Ongoing Debate over High Salaries
The revelations about O’Reilly’s compensation at Fox fueled debate about high salaries in the media industry. On one side, big media personalities argue they deserve high pay due to the value they create.
However, critics contend media organizations should impose salary caps. They point to how high salaries can enable toxic workplace cultures and misconduct.
There are also ethical concerns about media members being paid multiples above average workers. O’Reilly’s case highlighted these issues surrounding media salaries and corporate responsibility.
Going forward, media companies face pressure to address compensation gap concerns. They must also consider long-term cultural impacts when agreeing to lucrative contracts with top hosts and executives.
Bill O’Reilly’s scandal-ridden exit from Fox News spotlighted the contentious issues around high salaries and severance deals for media personalities. His enormous paydays, even after harassment allegations, sparked criticism and debate.
O’Reilly’s experience demonstrated how lucrative contracts can create misaligned incentives between networks, hosts, and viewers. The case led to calls for media organizations to reconsider their compensation practices.
While the TV industry continues to reward big stars, O’Reilly’s controversial history stands out. His astronomical Fox News salary before and after his dismissal will remain part of his complex and divisive legacy.
Bill O’Reilly Breaks Down the Migrant Problem and His Solution
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Why did Wiehl get paid so much?
The severity of the allegations likely contributed to the high cost of the payout, said Deborah L. Rhode, a Stanford Law School professor who specializes in gender discrimination. But she added that Wiehl’s legal background, as well as the timing of the settlement, may have also played a part.
