Exclusive: Bill O'Reilly Ending Radio Show

MOVING ON

O'Reilly Giving Up Radio Show, Will Focus On TV






*** EXCLUSIVE TO THE RADIO EQUALIZER ***
*** Important Update Below ***


Though not yet confirmed by the man himself, top- level industry sources tell the Radio Equalizer that Bill O'Reilly is giving up his nationally syndicated radio show. We're hearing his last broadcast will occur sometime in December.

Carried by as many as 400 stations, the Radio Factor has turned in mixed results nationwide, with a strong performance in several major markets. It airs in most of the largest American cities, including Los Angeles, New York City and Boston. Kicking off in May, 2002, the show initially had about 200 affiliates.

With Rush Limbaugh as a direct competitor, however, it's nearly impossible for anyone to maintain much of a foothold in that early afternoon timeslot. If you're unclear on this concept, just ask Al Franken.

And with a great deal on his plate, including The O'Reilly Factor, his top- rated FOX News Channel program, maintaining that kind of load must be especially difficult.

What isn't yet clear is who will be taking over the program, if anyone, or whether it will simply be cancelled.


Incidently, there's a fascinating backstory here: just days ago, your Radio Equalizer asserted that O'Reilly was going nowhere and lashed out at his left- wing enemies at the Huffington Post for saying otherwise.

Based on information we had at the time, that appeared to be the case. But since then, according to industry insiders, the circumstances have changed greatly.

Over at the Huffington Post, FOX arch- critic Steve Young today apologized for saying O'Reilly would be leaving his radio show, but it appears he is guilty only of jumping the gun a bit. Steve may need to retract his retraction.


In the end, this move should give O'Reilly a better opportunity to focus on his nightly television show, which has always been far more important than the Radio Factor.


UPDATE: at least one site claims our report is incorrect:

Update: The Rumors are false. ICN has learned that there is currently a Radio Factor renewal deal is in the works which is expected to be signed soon.

Look, this is hardly an anti- FOX smear site. The Radio Equalizer has defended and supported O'Reilly through thick and thin and would not publish such a report without iron- clad sources. If the circumstances change and the show is somehow salvaged on a permanent basis, we will report that, but as of yesterday, the Radio Factor was set to end in December.

What we've heard this morning is that the show might get a temporary (as in brief) extension into 2008 and that it could occur partly as a result of this report and marketplace rumors.

Even if the program is briefly extended, the long- term issue remains the same: O'Reilly's a very busy guy and would probably be better off with a total focus on the television program.

Stay tuned for updates.


FOR Boston- area talk radio updates, see our other site. Huge updates on the Howie Carr legal front, plus new Boston ratings to dissect.


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