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O'Reilly's future at Fox News uncertain

The future of Fox News host Bill O’Reilly appears increasingly uncertain amid growing signs that the embattled TV star is losing support from his bosses at 21st Century Fox.

O’Reilly, 67, has been on a planned vacation since last Wednesday and said on his top-rated prime-time program, “The O’Reilly Factor,” that he would be back April 24.

But a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it confirmed that O’Reilly’s status will be discussed at a previously scheduled board meeting of 21st Century Fox. The move has added to speculation that the anchor’s return to Fox News is looking doubtful in the wake of sexual harassment claims against him.

A 21st Century Fox representative declined to comment on the meeting.

Support for O’Reilly inside the company is apparently slipping. New York Magazine, citing unidentified sources, reported Tuesday that 21st Century Fox Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch is supporting O’Reilly’s return while his sons, Chief Executive James Murdoch and Chief Operating Officer Lachlan Murdoch, want the combative commentator out. Rupert Murdoch has a long association with O’Reilly, who joined Fox News when it launched as an upstart competitor to CNN in 1996.

O’Reilly’s behavior has been under scrutiny since an April 1 report in The New York Times that said he and Fox News have paid $13 million in settlements to women who have accused him of sexual harassment or abusive behavior going back to 2002. The report led to O’Reilly losing dozens of advertisers on his program, which has the highest ratings in cable news.

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