O’Reilly, Spicer in talks to join Newsmax TV: report

Former Fox News hosts Bill O’Reilly, Greta Van Susteren and Eric Bolling “have been approached” to host prime-time programs on Newsmax TV, the New York Post reported Monday. 

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer is also “set to star on a politically focused late-night panel show.” 

When asked by The Hill if the report was accurate, O’Reilly replied, “Many people talk to me” without elaborating furhter. 

The report from the New York Post’s Page Six column characterized the talks between O’Reilly and Newsmax as “advanced discussions.” 

“A year after O’Reilly’s abrupt exit from Fox News, where he was the top-rated host in cable news, the controversial anchor — who was forced out after the disclosure of sexual-harassment allegations and settlements paid to alleged victims — is in advanced discussions with Newsmax about developing a new show,” the report reads.

O’Reilly currently hosts a podcast called “No Spin News” on his website, BillOReilly.com. 

The podcast is regularly recorded from Newsmax TV’s Manhattan studio when O’Reilly isn’t doing the program out of his home studio on Long Island. 

The “Page Six” report laid out a scenario where Van Susteren, who left Fox in September 2017 and hosted a program on MSNBC for six months, would host a show in her old Fox News timeslot of 7 p.m. O’Reilly would take over at 8 p.m. and Bolling, who just signed to host a show at conservative video outlet CRTV, would follow at 9 p.m. Spicer’s panel program would be given the 10 p.m. slot. 

The report adds “the deals are not yet signed and sealed” as of yet. 

Michael Clemente, the former executive vice president of news at Fox News and a longtime ABC News staffer prior to that, joined Newsmax Broadcasting as its CEO last month. 

The news comes one week after a Politico report indicated Qatar is seeking to purchase a large share in Newsmax, which is owned by Trump confidant Chris Ruddy. 

High-level Qatari officials met with Newsmax representatives several times so far this year, with discussions being overseen by Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the brother of Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.