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New York (AFP) – Fox News on Thursday named longtime executive Suzanne Scott as chief executive of the cable news channel which is a favorite of conservatives and President Donald Trump.

Scott had served as the president of programming for both Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network and has been with the group since its inception nearly 22 years ago. 

“Suzanne has been instrumental in the success of Fox News and she has now made history as its first female CEO,” said Lachlan Murdoch, who is co-executive chairman of parent firm 21st Century Fox.

Fox has been at or near the top of viewer rankings among the three US cable news channels even as it has dealt with turmoil over the ousting of longtime chairman Roger Ailes — who subsequently died — and a series of sexual harassment claims against hosts and executives.

Rupert Murdoch, 87, who launched Fox, took over as executive chairman at the network after Ailes was ousted in 2016 amid sex harassment claims. The elder Murdoch shares the role of executive chairman at parent firm 21st Century Fox with his son.

The media-entertainment group has reached a deal to sell to Walt Disney Co its Hollywood studios and some television operations, leaving a more tightly focused group centered around Fox News.

The company also said Jay Wallace has been appointed president of Fox News and executive editor, while Jack Abernethy will continue as CEO of the newly expanded Fox Television Stations Group.

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