News Corp. said it had canceled publication of O.J. Simpson's book and planned special on Fox about the killing of his ex-wife.

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Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch said the project was "ill-considered" and he apologized for "any pain this has caused the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown-Simpson."

Simpson had been planning to release a book entitled, "If I Did It, Here's How It Happened," about the killings of his ex-wife and her friend, for which Simpson was acquitted in a criminal trial. Many characterized the book and planned television special as a confession.

New Corp. is the parent company of both the television network and the book's publisher.

Murdoch's announcement came as Fox affiliates balked at airing the special.

Pappas Broadcasting and Lin Broadcasting, which together own nine Fox affiliates, announced during the weekend they would not air the special, Broadcasting & Cable reported.

The Washington Post reported that the Pappas stations said they did not want to help Simpson profit from the project.

North Dakota's Prime Cities Broadcasting was the first to refuse to air the interview.