The old adage of “follow the money” when looking for an explanation or an understanding of a decision or action by an individual or organisation was driven home this morning by the fourth-quarter and full-year financial figures for the Murdoch clan’s main company, 21st Century Fox. The 1000-pound gorilla in the room was tackled immediately from the start of the post-results release analysts briefing when Lachlan Murdoch explained why Roger Ailes had to go over still-unresolved multiple claims of sexual harassment.

“Throughout this process we have moved quickly and decisively  to protect the business, to protect its employees, and to protect the unique and important voice Fox broadcasts. There is no one more dedicated or more able to transition Fox News to new leadership than its founder. As acting CEO he joins an existing team that is extraordinarily strong and equally devoted to its success. Fox News Channel is on track to have its highest rated year ever and has led all of basic cable both in prime time and total day for three full months of this calendar year.”

The quarterly and full-year figures underline this point: Fox’s cable news and entertainment operations (Fox News, Fox Business, FX, Fox Sports, etc) now dominate the overall 21st Century Fox’s revenue and earnings to the point where the other businesses — Fox TV, the film operations and investment in the European satellite TV operations on Sky — are immaterial to the current value of Fox and the Murdoch family’s fortune.