O’Reilly’s big factor

Bill O’Reilly, the combative commentator who hosts the most-watched show in cable news, has extended his contract with Fox News for another four years, the network said Wednesday.

The host of “The O’Reilly Factor” said he knew that if he retired, “my friends in the elite media would miss me greatly.”

O’Reilly will be making more than $10 million a year under his new contract, according to the Washington Post.

For almost eight years, his bellicose manner and blunt style have made “The O’Reilly Factor” the most popular show in cable news. The commentator has offended plenty of people along the way, but that has not dampened his appeal: In the last month, his show has averaged more than 4 million viewers a night, far outstripping the competition.

O’Reilly’s new deal with Fox News comes as the network has been firming up its lineup of conservative commentators. Earlier this month, Fox News renewed Sean Hannity’s contract through 2012, and last week it lured Glenn Beck away from CNN’s Headline News.