The Mirror

Fox News Just Got A Lot Less Shiny

REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein

Betsy Rothstein Gossip blogger
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“Shock.”

That’s the sentiment inside Fox News Monday, according to a network insider, after news erupted that Fox News President Bill Shine is out. The announcement comes less than two weeks since the ousting of Bill O’Reilly after more reports of his alleged sexual harassment surfaced.

For instance, O’Reilly allegedly referred to a black clerical worker as “Hot Chocolate” and grunted at her. At first she released her allegations privately through lawyers. But soon she spilled her guts on ABC’s “The View.” He has denied all sexual harassment accusations that have been made against him, including $13 million in payouts he has made to various women in the past decade.

New York Mag’s Gabriel Sherman tweeted the shiny nugget concerning Shine Monday afternoon.

Rumors that Shine might get the axe have been churning for days. Suzanne Scott will become President of Programming.  Jay Wallace will continuing overseeing the network in its entirety as President of News.

Shine began working for Fox News in 1996 as the senior producer of the now defunct show “Hannity & Colmes.” Alan Colmes died in February from cancer. He was 66.

Fox News issued a few press releases on Monday.

“Bill Shine, Co-President of FOX News Channel (FNC) since August 2016, has resigned and will leave the company after helping the transition over the next few weeks, announced Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox. Shine has been with FOX News since its inception over 20 years ago.”

“In making the announcement, Mr. Murdoch said, “This is a significant day for all at FOX News. 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. His contribution to our channel and our country will resonate for many years.”

Jack Abernethy is still with the network as co-president of FNC and CEO of Fox Television Stations.

Murdoch touted Scott and Wallace for their journalistic expertise. “Suzanne and Jay are recognized industry leaders. They have both played a large part in assembling the deepest bench of talented broadcasters and journalists,” he said in a release. “They will lead FOX News to an even more successful future.”

Three other names to watch:

  • Brian Jones, Executive Vice President of FOX Business Network becomes President, FOX Business Network reporting to Scott and Wallace.
  • Amy Listerman, formerly CFO of Scripps Networks Interactive, takes up her new responsibilities as CFO of FNC today.
  • Kevin Lord, Executive Vice President of Human Resources will take on the additional duties as Head of Compliance, reporting to Gerson Zweifach, Chief Corporate Counsel of 21st Century Fox.

And just like that, the No Spin Zone is gone and the network is Shine free.