Bill O’Reilly signs on for another four years with Fox News

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Bill O’Reilly, the combative commentator who hosts the most-watched show in cable news, has extended his contract with Fox News for another four years, the network announced today.

The host of “The O’Reilly Factor” said he knew if he retired, “my friends in the elite media would miss me greatly.’

Roger Ailes, chairman and chief executive of Fox News, called O’Reilly “the most prominent and influential name in all of cable news.”

“His contribution to the network’s success cannot be overstated,” he said.

O’Reilly will be making more than $10 million per year under his new contract, according to the Washington Post.

For almost eight years, his bellicose manner and blunt-spoken style has made “The O’Reilly Factor” the most popular program in cable news. The commentator has offended plenty of people along the way, but that has not dampened his appeal: in the last month, his show has averaged more than 4 million viewers a night, far outstripping the competition.

O’Reilly’s new deal with Fox News comes as the network has been firming up its lineup of conservative commentators. Earlier this month, Fox News renewed Sean Hannity’s contract through 2012, and last week it lured Glenn Beck away from CNN’s Headline News.

-- Matea Gold