Murdoch Dynasty Reordering: Lachlan’s Rising Control at News Corp and Fox
How the new order of the Murdoch dynasty is playing out
The Murdoch family’s power shift shows a consolidated leadership and ongoing friction as governance and legacy priorities are rebalanced after a high‑profile succession settlement.
Family feuds and strategic change
Lachlan Murdoch’s strengthened control reflects legal agreements and trust restructuring that sidelined some siblings while compensating them financially, reshaping decision rights across News Corp and Fox and altering editorial and corporate strategy amid public scrutiny.
Implications for media and legacy
This reordering may centralize editorial direction and accelerate business consolidation, while raising questions about governance safeguards, minority voices in the family, and how a single successor will steward a global media portfolio with political influence and commercial pressures.
About the People Mentioned
Lachlan Murdoch
Lachlan Murdoch, born on September 8, 1971, in London, is a prominent American and Australian businessman and media heir. He is the eldest son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Lachlan's early life was marked by an elite education, attending private schools in New York City and later graduating from Princeton University with a degree in philosophy in 1994[2][3]. Lachlan began his career at News Corp in 1994, rising through the ranks to become deputy chief operating officer. During his tenure, he was responsible for the company's U.S. television stations and publishing operations. He notably overhauled the *New York Post*, increasing its circulation by over 40% and making it the fastest-growing newspaper in the U.S. at the time[5][6]. However, his tenure was also marked by significant challenges, including a failed investment in the telecommunications company One.Tel, which collapsed in 2001[3]. In 2005, Lachlan left News Corp due to internal conflicts, including disputes with executives like Roger Ailes. He relocated to Australia, where he founded Illyria Pty, a private investment company. Through Illyria, he acquired and expanded NOVA Entertainment, transforming it into Australia's leading network of FM stations[5]. Lachlan returned to the family business in the mid-2010s, following a phone-hacking scandal involving News Corp's *News of the World*. Currently, Lachlan serves as executive chairman of NOVA Entertainment, chairman of News Corp, and executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation[1][6]. As of 2023, he was listed among Australia's wealthiest individuals, with an estimated wealth of A$3.35 billion[1]. Recently, Lachlan has been involved in a U.S. court case concerning the family trust, with his siblings challenging their father's plans to ensure Lachlan retains control of News Corp and Fox Corp[1].
About the Organizations Mentioned
News Corp
**News Corp** is a global media and information services company specializing in news publishing, digital real estate, and book publishing, headquartered in New York City.[4][5] Formed on June 28, 2013, as a spin-off from the original News Corporation (rebranded 21st Century Fox), it focuses on high-value print and digital assets, separating them from entertainment operations.[2][4] Its roots trace to 1923, when News Limited launched in Australia with small newspapers in New South Wales and South Australia.[3][5] Rupert Murdoch inherited control in 1952 upon his father Keith's death, aggressively expanding from *The News* in Adelaide.[1][2][5] Key early moves included UK acquisitions like *News of the World* and *The Sun* (1969), *The Times* and *The Sunday Times* (1981), and U.S. entries with the *New York Post* (1976) and Chicago Sun-Times (1984).[1][3] The original News Corp formalized in 1980 as a holding company.[1][3] Milestones shaped its multimedia rise: launching Fox Broadcasting (1986), acquiring Dow Jones & Company—including *The Wall Street Journal*—for $5.6 billion (2007), and establishing Fox News Channel (1996).[1][2][3] Challenges included the 2011 *News of the World* closure amid a phone-hacking scandal.[1] Today, News Corp owns iconic brands like *The Wall Street Journal*, *The Times*, *New York Post*, HarperCollins publishing, and real estate platforms such as REA Group.[4][5] In September 2023, Rupert Murdoch announced stepping down as chairman by November, transitioning family control amid ongoing Murdoch influence.[4] With a market cap reflecting diversified revenue from subscriptions, advertising, and digital services, it navigates print declines by emphasizing professional information and tech-drive
Fox
Fox Corporation, established in 2019 following the $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company, is a leading American multinational media company headquartered in New York City. It was formed as a spin-off to retain 21CF's television broadcasting, news, and sports assets not acquired by Disney[1][4]. Controlled by media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s family, with Lachlan Murdoch as chairman and CEO, Fox Corp’s portfolio includes flagship brands such as Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox News Media, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, Fox Television Stations, and the streaming service Tubi[1][4][6]. Fox Broadcasting Company, launched in 1986 to compete with the traditional Big Three networks (ABC, CBS, NBC), rapidly became the most successful fourth network in the U.S., dominating key demographics and total viewership during several periods[2]. As a broadcast network, Fox focuses on entertainment programming but relies on its separate 24-hour channels—Fox News and Fox Business—for news content[2]. Since its inception, Fox Corp has expanded its digital and streaming presence through acquisitions like Tubi in 2020 and TMZ in 2021, enhancing its footprint in digital advertising and original content production[3][4]. Fox Entertainment, restructured in 2019, produces popular scripted and unscripted shows such as *The Simpsons*, *The Masked Singer*, *Hell’s Kitchen*, and culinary content through Studio Ramsay Global, founded in partnership with Gordon Ramsay[5]. Fox Corporation remains a dominant force in news, sports, and entertainment, consistently investing in content innovation, live sports programming, and digital platforms to adapt to evolving media consumption[4][6]. In November 2023, Rupert Murdoch retired as chairman, marking a new leadership era under Lachlan Murdoch[1]. Today, Fox Corp continues to thrive as a major media player, balancing legacy broadcast strengths with growing digital initiatives, making it a critical
