FOXA Fox Corporation

21st Century Fox Inc. Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch tapped two Fox News veterans to lead the cable-news network following the departure of Roger Ailes, who resigned as the network's chief executive last month amid allegations he sexually harassed employees.

Bill Shine, currently the senior executive vice president of programming for Fox News and Fox Business, and Jack Abernethy, a former executive vice president of Fox News and current chief executive of Fox's TV station group, will serve as co-presidents of the cable news channel.

The pair will report to Mr. Murdoch, who assumed the role of chairman and acting CEO of Fox News after Mr. Ailes departed.

The moves come as 21st Century Fox continues to investigate the accusations against Mr. Ailes through the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. The number of women who have come forward with allegations against Mr. Ailes reaches into the double-digits, and 21st Century Fox is anticipating paying some settlements, people familiar with the matter have said.

Fox's probe also is examining whether any others at the company knew about Mr. Ailes' alleged misconduct or enabled it.

Mr. Ailes has denied all claims that he harassed Fox News employees.

Mr. Shine, 53 years old, was Mr. Ailes' longtime No. 2. In making the announcement, Mr. Murdoch said, Mr. Shine has "developed and produced a signature primetime that has dominated the cable news landscape," and Mr. Abernathy, 60, has a "strategic vision and deep knowledge of the cable news business."

Departing Fox News is longtime Chief Financial Officer Mark Kranz.

The statement on Friday announcing a new management structure didn't address the status of the Paul, Weiss inquiry, and it didn't give any update on plans to find a new permanent chief executive for the Fox News division of the company.

Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 12, 2016 14:55 ET (18:55 GMT)

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