The Murdoch family has reached a settlement ending years of infighting over the future of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, cementing Lachlan Murdoch’s control of Fox News and News Corp.
The deal, valued at $3.3 billion, resolves a bitter succession battle among Rupert Murdoch’s children and ensures Fox’s center-right editorial stance will remain intact.
Lachlan’s Position Secured
Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert’s eldest son and longtime executive at Fox, will retain leadership as executive chairman of Fox Corporation and chairman of News Corp.
He has managed daily operations since Rupert stepped down in November 2023.
The new arrangement prevents siblings from mounting a boardroom coup.
Under the agreement, Rupert’s older children — Prudence, Elisabeth, and James — will each receive about $1.1 billion in cash.
Their holdings in Fox and News Corp will be sold off over the next six months.
The sales represent roughly 16.9 million shares of Fox Class B stock and 14.2 million shares of News Corp stock.
A new Murdoch family trust will be created for Lachlan and his two younger half-sisters, Grace and Chloe, Rupert’s daughters with Wendi Deng.
The trust will hold 36% of Fox Class B shares and 33% of News Corp Class B shares.
That controlling stake ensures Lachlan’s continued influence over the media empire.
Courtroom Drama
The settlement follows a Nevada probate court battle last year, where Rupert attempted to amend the family’s irrevocable trust to shield Lachlan from his more moderate siblings.
The court rejected that bid in December 2024, saying the move had been made in “bad faith.”
That decision forced the family to negotiate a settlement.
Rupert Murdoch, now 94, hailed the outcome.
He called the deal a victory for conservatism and said it secures Fox as “the protector of the conservative voice in the English-speaking world.”
The patriarch, who founded Fox News in 1996, remains an influential figure in global media.
For years, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence Murdoch opposed Lachlan’s dominance, arguing it marginalized their role in the trust.
They were also uneasy with Fox News’s conservative tilt, frequently clashing with Lachlan over editorial direction.
Analysts noted the payout gives them both financial windfall and independence.
Fox’s Role in Politics
Fox News remains the top U.S. cable news network and a central force in Republican politics.
The network’s audience is prized for its loyalty, giving it enduring influence despite growing competition from digital-first conservative outlets.
Media analysts say Lachlan’s leadership ensures Fox won’t shift leftward in editorial stance.
Lachlan now faces the challenge of steering Fox through a rapidly changing media landscape, where podcasts and online platforms are cutting into traditional cable audiences.
Analysts say the settlement provides stability, but the company must adapt to remain relevant.
