21st Century Fox released this statement Wednesday afternoon:

"After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Bill O'Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel."

The Murdochs sent an internal memo announcing the decision while calling O'Reilly, "one of the most accomplished TV personalities in the history of cable news."

The heir: Tucker Carlson, in a wider shakeup in Fox's evening lineup.

Axios' Sara Fischer notes that the announcement came earlier than expected. Per CNN, Fox's board had planned to discuss O'Reilly's future on Thursday. The news came 18 days after a NY Times report on settlements paid to women who had accused O'Reilly of sexual harassment.