2008-12-05 00:44:02 -

FOX News Channel's (FNC) Bill O'Reilly will step down from hosting The Radio Factor on Westwood One stations and FOX News Talk in the first quarter of 2009, announced Kevin Magee, executive vice president, FOX News.
Produced by FOX News Radio, The Radio Factor is currently heard on more than 400 radio stations nationwide as well as on

XM and Sirius. Since its debut in 2002 to a record 205 stations " the biggest launch in the history of talk radio " Radio Factor affiliates have experienced dramatic ratings increases. O"Reilly will continue anchoring his top-rated program, The O'Reilly Factor on FNC, as well as writing a weekly newspaper column.
In making the announcement, Magee said, "The Radio Factor has been a lucrative partnership for Westwood One and FOX News and Bill has been integral to the success of FOX News Radio. He loves the program, but we understand his desire to lighten his heavy workload."
O'Reilly added, "It is with great regret that I"ve come to the decision to leave the Radio Factor, but with the success of the O"Reilly Factor, I can no longer give both TV and radio the time they deserve. From the beginning, Westwood One has been tremendous and FOX News continues to set the standard and I?ve enjoyed working with them. I will miss talk radio and the callers very much."
FOX News, headed by Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO, operates FOX News Radio, a 24/7 news service reaching more than ten million listeners a week. The network features a comprehensive hourly five-minute newscast along with one-minute newscasts, breaking-news coverage to affiliate stations nationwide, and five weekday FOX News Talk Shows, including: Brian and the Judge, The Alan Colmes Show, The John Gibson Show, The Tom Sullivan Show and FOX Across America with Spencer Hughes. Additionally, FOX News operates FOX News Channel (FNC), the number one cable news network in America for more than six years, FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace foxnews.com, and FOX News Mobile.

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Diana Rocco, 212-301-3272