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Fox News parent Twenty-First Century Fox Inc is investigating
sexual harassment claims against O'Reilly, who has said that he
was unfairly targeted because of his public prominence.
O'Reilly's ratings have remained strong with an average of 3.7
million viewers last week, up from the prior week and leading
all other cable news programs, according to Nielsen.
The "O'Reilly Factor" continued that pace this week, averaging
3.7 million on Monday and Tuesday, the media tracking firm said
on Wednesday.
O'Reilly said on Tuesday's show that he usually takes time off
during the spring. "Often around this time of year, I grab some
vacation because it's spring and Easter time," he said. "We all
need R&R."
A report in New York magazine said some Fox executives,
including CEO James Murdoch, want O'Reilly gone from the network
permanently.
A Fox News spokesperson told Reuters that O'Reilly will return
on April 24 and a rotating cast of guest hosts will fill in
during his absence.
According to ad-tracking firm Kantar Media, ad time on "The
O'Reilly Factor" has fallen by more than 50 percent, bottoming
out with just seven ads during Friday's show. Before the
harassment allegations were reported in the media, the show
averaged 33 national spots, said Kantar.
Most of the advertisers on "O'Reilly Factor" last week were
smaller companies such as Visiting Angels Home Health Services,
MyPillow.com, and gold retailer Rosland Capital.
After advertisers including AllState Corp <ALL.N> and T. Rowe
Price <TROW.O> pulled their ads from the show, Fox News
Executive Vice President of Ad Sales Paul Rittenberg said
advertising had moved to other Fox News programs.
(Reporting by Tim Baysinger; editing by Anna Driver)
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