Murdoch takes charge of Fox News

The network’s parent company, 21st Century Fox, announced Roger Ailes’ resignation on Thursday. His resignation comes amid a budding sexual harassment scandal. 21st Century Fox swiftly opened an investigation into the claims that remains ongoing, one whose findings have not yet been disclosed.

In addition to Carlson’s complaint, on 12 July another Fox News channel anchor Megyn Kelly, said she had also been the victim of “unwanted sexual advances” by Ailes approximately 10 years ago.

Ailes said in a letter to Murdoch, “I am proud of our accomplishments and look forward to continuing to work with you as a consultant in building 21st Century Fox”.

Mr Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox and a U.S. citizen since 1985, will remain in place until a replacement is found. Any sign that Fox was losing its tough, take-no-prisoners attitude without Ailes could at least raise suspicions with its loyal fans.

In a remarkable coincidence, Ailes exits the stage just hours before Donald Trump, a candidate fueled by a mix of populism and resentment that’s similarly driven Fox News, gives his speech as the Republican nominee.

Within six years, Fox came to dominate cable news ratings, dethroning CNN, and it has been a wildly successful business, with annual profits believed to exceed $1 billion.

Attorneys for Carlson had said they had been contacted by as many as 20 women who said they were subjected to inappropriate behavior by Ailes. Fox News is now regularly among the most-watched networks in all of cable and dominates the cable news category.

Ailes, who resigned under pressure Thursday amid accusations of sexual harassment, was a strong manager who inspired both loyalty and fear.

“There’s a lot of concern in professional media circles that Fox (News) is going to disintegrate because it has an old audience”, said DePauw University media studies professor Jeffrey McCall.

“There is no clear successor to run the network once Ailes leaves”. And I love him personally.

Murdoch said Fox managers Bill Shine, Jay Wallace and Mark Kranz will assist him in day-to-day management of the network.

Her statements probably had a major impact on the decision to part ways with Ailes.

“Change is always tough, but I think Rupert Murdoch coming back is a big deal for all of us”, she said. Kelly is a rising star at Fox News and her contract expires in the middle of next year.

After first meeting Richard Nixon on the set of “The Mike Douglas Show”, Ailes was hired by the then-presidential candidate to be his media advisor during the campaign, which marked his first professional foray into politics. The piece was widely regarded as the most influential ad of the political cycle.

A former consultant to Republican presidents, Ailes, 76, had been a key figure in the media empire and a longtime Murdoch ally.

“Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years”, Murdoch said.

Ailes once seemed untouchable due to the incredible success of Fox News, which also spawned a business news spin-off, Fox Business, and multiple radio networks.