NEW YORK – 21st Century Fox has announced that Bill O'Reilly will not return to the Fox News Channel after it was reported the host had paid millions to women who accused him of sexual harassment.
The company made the announcement in a statement released Wednesday.
"After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Bill O'Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel.
The New York Times reported April 2 that five women had been paid a total of $13 million to keep quiet about unpleasant encounters with O'Reilly, who has denied any wrongdoing.
In the wake of his firing, O'Reilly maintained that sexual harassment claims against him were not true, calling his dismissal over the allegations "tremendously disheartening."
O'Reilly, who was with the network for 20 years, said he was proud of his time at Fox. He thanked his viewers and noted the success Fox had achieved.
O'Reilly was photographed in Rome shaking Pope Francis' hand on Wednesday. He had been scheduled to return from a vacation next Monday.
It marks a stunning end to a near perfect marriage between a pugnacious personality and network. For two decades O'Reilly has ruled the "no spin zone" with cable news' most popular show, and his ratings had never been higher.
In place of O'Reilly, Tucker Carlson will assume the 8 p.m. hour on the channel.
Starting Monday, Carlson's show will be followed at 9 p.m. EDT by "The Five," relocating from its afternoon slot.
"The Five" will be replaced at 5 p.m. EDT by a one-hour program hosted by Eric Bolling, to debut May 1. Next week, "Special Report with Bret Baier" will fill the 5-to-7-p.m. timeslot.
At 7 p.m. EDT, Martha MacCullum remains in place.
The departed O'Reilly's "The Factor" will continue through this week with Dana Perino hosting Wednesday and Thursday night, and Greg Gutfield on Friday.
Rounding out the Fox prime-time lineup, "Hannity" remains at 10 p.m. EDT.