Fox News' Roger Ailes Signs $25M Deal

Roger Ailes is going to have a very, very merry Christmas.

According to the Financial Times, News Corp., the global media company, has signed a new five-year, $25 million contract with Ailes, the head of its television group.

The contract also calls for an annual bonus of at least $1m, and includes a grant of 330,000 restricted stock units, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ailes, an advisor to several Republican presidents, was hired in 1996 by Rupert Murdoch, News Corp.’s chairman, and soon brought the fledgling Fox News Channel to ratings dominance over its more established 24-hour news rival, CNN.

His portfolio was expanded in August to include oversight of the company’s 35 broadcast television stations, its website and its syndication operation, following the surprise resignation of Murdoch’s son, Lachlan. Among other things, Ailes is known as a keen judge of on-air talent, turning Bill O’Reilly and Shepard Smith into stars.