Fox News star Sean Hannity recently tweeted that if the network’s co-president Bill Shine were forced out it would be the “end of the FNC as we know it.”
Well, the end is here. Shine stepped down Monday amid the ongoing sexual harassment scandal that has caused a huge shakeup atop the network, and speculation is rampant that Hannity will be the next star to leave based on his close ties to the now-former Fox News boss. And as it turns out, Fox News might not be able to do anything about it, thanks to a clause in Hannity’s contract that allows him to quit whenever he wants.
Shine and Hannity are longtime friends and colleagues who have worked together since 1996. In fact, Hannity watched Shine grow from “Hannity and Colmes” producer to co-president of the network. Hannity has subsequently stood by Shine, and last week tweeted his belief that “somebody HIGH UP AND INSIDE FNC” is deliberately trying to ruin Shine’s career.
Also Read: Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Is Out as Scandal Claims Another Head
Fox News has filled Shine’s job internally for now, which should be a considered a positive development for Hannity — unless he thinks one of the now-promoted executives was the leak.
It would obviously be a very risky move for Hannity to bolt, considering he hosts one of the most popular shows in the history of cable news. But Fox News viewers can attest that crazier things have happened.
Fox News has already lost two primetime superstars in 2017. Megyn Kelly bolted for NBC when her contract was up and Bill O’Reilly was recently fired because of the aforementioned sexual harassment claims. O’Reilly-Kelly-Hannity was the primetime lineup that helped Fox News dominate the cable news landscape for the past few years, but only one of them remains.
Also Read: Reporter Has No Idea Why Sean Hannity Keeps Tweeting at Him
Luckily for Fox News, the network managed to lose O’Reilly and Kelly without suffering a decline in ratings. But Many insiders consider Shine the guy who held everything together. If Hannity were to follow Shine out the door then longtime viewers of the network would hardly recognize the place.
Just last week, Mediaite reported that “an alternative conservative network is being actively discussed amongst conservative fat cats.” The report claimed that “serious discussions are underway to create an alternative conservative cable network on the belief that the Fox News Network is moving too far to the left.”
If true, a quick call to Shine could quickly get the old band back together. A new network could potential feature Shine leading a primetime trio O’Reilly, Hannity and soon-to-be free agent Tomi Lahren. Shine is regarded as someone who played a key role in shaping Fox News’ conservative voice that Hannity is the face of.
And if Hannity does decide to bolt, Fox might not be able to do anything about it. New York Magazine reporter/editor Gabe Sherman, who has been out in front of the on-going Fox News drama, reported that Hannity has a “key man clause” in his contract that would allow him to quit anytime.
Also Read: Sean Hannity’s Prediction of ‘Total End’ of Fox News Channel Has Twitter Rejoicing: ‘We Can Hope’
Shine, a protégé of ousted network founder Roger Ailes, had been with Fox News for 20 years. He was regarded as a key member of the old regime at Fox News and was promoted to co-president, alongside Jack Abernethy, last year when Ailes stepped down as CEO because of multiple sexual harassment allegations.
Last week, Sherman reported that Shine asked the Murdoch family for a public statement of support but they declined.
The report sent Hannity into a Twitter tirade, saying he prays the report isn’t true because it would be the end of Fox News. He even started a hashtag #IStandWithShine and tweeted the link to a Facebook page titled “Stop the Scalping” which condones targeting conservative voices by the politically correct.
It appears Sherman was correct about the Murdoch family wanting to get rid of Shine. Now it will be interesting to see if Hannity was correct when he said Shine’s ouster would be the end of Fox News as we know it.
Fox News declined TheWrap’s request to speak with Hannity for this piece.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Is Out as Scandal Claims Another Head
Why Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Is Having a Terrible Week
Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Asked Murdochs for Public Support, They Declined (Report)
Fox News star Sean Hannity recently tweeted that if the network’s co-president Bill Shine were forced out it would be the “end of the FNC as we know it.”
Well, the end is here. Shine stepped down Monday amid the ongoing sexual harassment scandal that has caused a huge shakeup atop the network, and speculation is rampant that Hannity will be the next star to leave based on his close ties to the now-former Fox News boss. And as it turns out, Fox News might not be able to do anything about it, thanks to a clause in Hannity’s contract that allows him to quit whenever he wants.
Shine and Hannity are longtime friends and colleagues who have worked together since 1996. In fact, Hannity watched Shine grow from “Hannity and Colmes” producer to co-president of the network. Hannity has subsequently stood by Shine, and last week tweeted his belief that “somebody HIGH UP AND INSIDE FNC” is deliberately trying to ruin Shine’s career.
Also Read: Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Is Out as Scandal Claims Another Head
Fox News has filled Shine’s job internally for now, which should be a considered a positive development for Hannity — unless he thinks one of the now-promoted executives was the leak.
It would obviously be a very risky move for Hannity to bolt, considering he hosts one of the most popular shows in the history of cable news. But Fox News viewers can attest that crazier things have happened.
Fox News has already lost two primetime superstars in 2017. Megyn Kelly bolted for NBC when her contract was up and Bill O’Reilly was recently fired because of the aforementioned sexual harassment claims. O’Reilly-Kelly-Hannity was the primetime lineup that helped Fox News dominate the cable news landscape for the past few years, but only one of them remains.
Also Read: Reporter Has No Idea Why Sean Hannity Keeps Tweeting at Him
Luckily for Fox News, the network managed to lose O’Reilly and Kelly without suffering a decline in ratings. But Many insiders consider Shine the guy who held everything together. If Hannity were to follow Shine out the door then longtime viewers of the network would hardly recognize the place.
Just last week, Mediaite reported that “an alternative conservative network is being actively discussed amongst conservative fat cats.” The report claimed that “serious discussions are underway to create an alternative conservative cable network on the belief that the Fox News Network is moving too far to the left.”
If true, a quick call to Shine could quickly get the old band back together. A new network could potential feature Shine leading a primetime trio O’Reilly, Hannity and soon-to-be free agent Tomi Lahren. Shine is regarded as someone who played a key role in shaping Fox News’ conservative voice that Hannity is the face of.
And if Hannity does decide to bolt, Fox might not be able to do anything about it. New York Magazine reporter/editor Gabe Sherman, who has been out in front of the on-going Fox News drama, reported that Hannity has a “key man clause” in his contract that would allow him to quit anytime.
Also Read: Sean Hannity's Prediction of 'Total End' of Fox News Channel Has Twitter Rejoicing: 'We Can Hope'
Shine, a protégé of ousted network founder Roger Ailes, had been with Fox News for 20 years. He was regarded as a key member of the old regime at Fox News and was promoted to co-president, alongside Jack Abernethy, last year when Ailes stepped down as CEO because of multiple sexual harassment allegations.
Last week, Sherman reported that Shine asked the Murdoch family for a public statement of support but they declined.
The report sent Hannity into a Twitter tirade, saying he prays the report isn’t true because it would be the end of Fox News. He even started a hashtag #IStandWithShine and tweeted the link to a Facebook page titled “Stop the Scalping” which condones targeting conservative voices by the politically correct.
It appears Sherman was correct about the Murdoch family wanting to get rid of Shine. Now it will be interesting to see if Hannity was correct when he said Shine’s ouster would be the end of Fox News as we know it.
Fox News declined TheWrap’s request to speak with Hannity for this piece.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Is Out as Scandal Claims Another Head
Why Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Is Having a Terrible Week
Fox News Co-President Bill Shine Asked Murdochs for Public Support, They Declined (Report)
