O.J. Simpson book cancelled

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- News Corp. has canceled plans to publish a controversial new book by O.J. Simpson titled, "If I Did It," and an accompanying Fox network television interview with the former football star, the company said Monday.

After a significant backlash and criticism, the Simpson's TV appearances scheduled on the Fox network are being cancelled too according to a statement found on the publisher's parent company News Corporation (Charts).

"I and senior management agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project," said Rupert Murdoch, News Corp. chairman. "We are sorry for any pain that his has caused the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson."

The book was to be released Nov. 30 by Regan Books.

"My immediate reaction is that I'm glad they are canceling it," said Betsy Burton, owner of The King's English Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in St. Lake City.

"It sounded like the worst kind of non-book written...I can't imagine there is anything the O.J. convicted of murder in civil court would have to say that most people would want to read," said Burton. "The whole thing book takes to us to a new level. In a decidedly downward direction."

News Corporation is the parent company of HarperCollins. Regan Books is a division of Harper Collins.

The companies compete with Penguin Group, owned by Pearson (Charts) and CBS (Charts)-owned Simon & Schuster.

-- from staff and wire reports

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