NEW YORK – September 14, 2016 – FOX News co-presidents Jack Abernethy and Bill Shine have signed new multi-year contracts, announced Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox and Executive Chairman of FOX News & FOX Business Network.
In making the announcement, Murdoch said, “Jack and Bill have been instrumental in FOX News’ continued dominance in the ratings and historic earnings performance. I am delighted they’ve each signed new deals, ensuring stability and leadership to help guide the network for years to come.”
Abernethy and Shine added, “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to continue leading FOX News and FOX Business into the future and look forward to working alongside the incredible roster of talent, both on and off air, to make each network even more successful.”
Promoted to co-presidents in August, Abernethy and Shine oversee both FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX Business Network (FBN), dividing responsibilities for all facets of the networks. While continuing to run FOX Television Stations (FTS), Mr. Abernethy manages all business components of FNC and FBN including finance, advertising sales and distribution units. Mr. Shine runs all programming and news functions of each network, including production, technical operations and talent management.
In his role as CEO of FOX Television Stations, Jack Abernethy oversees 28 owned and operated stations in the nation’s largest television markets, including WNYW/WWOR in New York, KTTV/KCOP in Los Angeles, KDFW/KDFI in Dallas, WTXF in Philadelphia, WTTG/WDCA in Washington, D.C. and KTVU/KICU in San Francisco. He also operates FOX Television Stations’ first-run development and the programming service, MyNetworkTV.
Prior to this position, Mr. Abernethy served as the Executive Vice President of FOX News, where he led development for long-term strategic and business plans for the network. His responsibilities at FOX News evolved to include oversight of finance, legal & business affairs and affiliate sales. Mr. Abernethy also spearheaded the launch of FOX News Radio to more than 500 stations across the country.
Bill Shine has served as Senior Executive Vice President of Programming for FNC and FBN since August 2014. In this capacity, he ran all programming and synergies for both networks. Previously, he oversaw all opinion programming and production as an Executive Vice President.
Mr. Shine notably launched a new primetime line-up in the fall of 2013, which included the debut of The Kelly File, now the second highest rated show in cable news behind only The O’Reilly Factor. He has led FNC’s powerhouse daytime and primetime programming to its number one status in cable news for 176 consecutive months, routinely topping basic cable for multiple quarters as well. Under his leadership of both networks, FNC is on track to have its highest rated year ever and FBN’s key programs continue to edge CNBC.
Mr. Shine began his career at FNC as producer of Hannity & Colmes when the network launched in October 1996. Under his direction, Hannity & Colmes’ ratings grew 200% and became a formidable competitor to CNN’s Larry King Live. He also served as the executive producer of The Pulse, an investigative newsmagazine on FOX Broadcasting from 2001 to 2003. Shine was named Network Executive Producer in December 2000 and was promoted to Vice President, Production in 2003.
About FOX News Channel
FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. A top five cable network, FNC has been the most-watched news channel in the country for more than 14 years and according to a Suffolk University/USA Today poll, is the most trusted television news source in the country. Owned by 21st Century Fox, FNC is available in more than 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre. On the web at www.foxnews.com
About FOX Business Network
FOX Business Network (FBN) is a financial news channel delivering real-time information across all platforms that impact both Main Street and Wall Street. Headquartered in New York—the business capital of the world—FBN launched in October 2007 and is available in more than 80 million homes in major markets across the United States. Owned by 21st Century Fox, the network has bureaus in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and London. On the web at www.foxbusiness.com
FOX News Channel Media Contact:
Irena Briganti/212-301-3608
