BMW, Allstate pull ads from 'O'Reilly Factor' after harassment report

By Tim Baysinger | NEW YORK

Several more companies, including BMW and Allstate, have pulled their advertising from Fox News' "The O’Reilly Factor" television program days after the New York Times reported Fox and star host Bill O’Reilly paid five women to settle claims he sexually harassed them.

On Tuesday, BMW of North America, Allstate Corp, French pharmaceutical company Sanofi SA, direct marketer Constant Contact, men's clothing company Untuckit, as well as T. Rowe Price all told Reuters they are no longer advertising on the show.

"In light of the disturbing allegations, we instructed our media buyer this morning to reallocate our ad dollars to other shows effective immediately," Untuckit cofounder and Chief Executive Officer Aaron Sanandres said in an email. Untuckit is among the biggest advertisers on the show.

Shares of Fox News parent Twenty-First Century Fox Inc fell nearly 1 percent to $31.85 on the NASDAQ.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition also reportedly suspended their advertising, though Reuters could not confirm the reports. Hyundai Motor Corp told the New York Times they are reallocating future advertising on the program.

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