Rupert Murdoch’s Real-Life ‘Succession’ Battle Ends With Eldest Son Lachlan Taking Full Control
The battle for control of one of America’s most influential media empires has finally concluded. After years of legal warfare that read like a script from HBO’s hit series “Succession,” the Murdoch family announced a groundbreaking settlement on Monday that ensures Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post will remain under conservative leadership for decades to come.
The $3.3 billion agreement positions Lachlan Murdoch as the undisputed heir to his father’s media dynasty, while his more politically moderate siblings walk away with substantial payouts—and no future influence over the companies’ editorial direction.
What the Deal Means for America’s Media Landscape
This isn’t just a family squabble resolved with money. The settlement has profound implications for American journalism and political discourse. By cementing Lachlan Murdoch’s control, the deal ensures that Fox News—the most-watched cable news network in America—will maintain its conservative editorial stance long after 94-year-old Rupert Murdoch’s death.
According to CNN’s reporting, the settlement “forestalls a predicted challenge from his siblings over the political bent of the conservative media empire.” This outcome was precisely what Rupert Murdoch feared—that his more liberal children might unite after his death to moderate Fox News’ conservative programming.
The Financial Breakdown
The numbers tell a compelling story of family dynamics and corporate control:
- James, Elisabeth, and Prudence Murdoch will each receive approximately $1.1 billion from the sale of Fox and News Corp shares
- Lachlan Murdoch retains voting control of the new family trust
- Grace and Chloe Murdoch (Rupert’s younger daughters) become beneficiaries but without voting rights
- The new trust will control about 33% of News Corp’s Class B stock and 36% of Fox Corp’s Class B stock
The Real-Life ‘Succession’ Drama
The parallels to HBO’s award-winning series weren’t lost on observers—or the family members themselves. The New York Times previously reported that the Murdoch siblings actually watched the show and shaped their public relations strategy in response to it, finding uncomfortable similarities to their own family dynamics.
“You know that there will always be a conservative guardian of Fox News,” Claire Enders, CEO of U.K.-based media research firm Enders Analysis, told the CBC. This sentiment captures exactly what was at stake—not just money, but the ideological future of influential news outlets.
Why the Settlement Happened Now
The legal battle reached a turning point in December when a Nevada probate court rejected Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to change the family trust, calling it a “carefully crafted charade” designed to cement Lachlan’s control. Facing an uncertain appeal process and mounting family tensions, the settlement offered a cleaner resolution.
As NPR’s David Folkenflik explained, “Rupert Murdoch has built a record and a reputation for ruthlessness. When things are dire, however, Murdoch also has a record of paying out.”
The Brothers’ Fundamental Disagreement
James Murdoch, who had emerged as Lachlan’s chief rival, represented a different vision for the family’s media properties. He had become increasingly vocal about his concerns over Fox News’ coverage of climate change and the 2020 election, particularly the network’s promotion of false claims about election fraud.
“Fox News gave him an enormous platform,” to promote conspiracy theories, noted Professor Matthew Ricketson of Deakin University, referring to Donald Trump’s false election claims. “That was something that James disagreed with.”
This philosophical divide wasn’t just about business strategy—it reflected fundamentally different views about media responsibility and political influence in America.
What This Means for Conservative Media
The settlement ensures continuity in conservative media leadership at a critical time in American politics. Lachlan Murdoch, who has served as CEO of Fox Corp since 2019, is considered even more ideologically conservative than his father.
Andrew Dodd, director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, called the settlement “bad news” for media diversity and pluralism, predicting that outlets will “remain right wing and reactionary.”
The Price of Family Peace
At $3.3 billion, this settlement ranks among the largest family business buyouts in media history. Each departing sibling will receive more than a billion dollars, but they’re also accepting significant restrictions. According to The Hollywood Reporter, they must sell any remaining personal holdings in the companies and “be subject to a long-term standstill agreement preventing them” from acquiring future shares.
This isn’t just a payout—it’s a comprehensive exit that permanently removes any chance of future challenges to Lachlan’s authority.
Looking Ahead: Media Empire’s Future
The new trust structure runs until 2050, after which all remaining shares will transfer to Lachlan Murdoch. This timeline ensures conservative control of Fox News and other properties for at least the next 25 years, regardless of changing political winds or family relationships.
“The leadership, vision and management by the Company’s Chair, Lachlan Murdoch, will continue to be important to guiding the Company’s strategy and success,” News Corp stated in their official announcement.
What This Means for American Democracy
With Fox News maintaining roughly 40% of the cable news audience, this settlement’s impact extends far beyond one family’s business decisions. The network’s influence on Republican politics and conservative thought leadership makes this succession battle a matter of national significance.
The resolution ensures that America’s most-watched cable news network will continue operating under the same editorial philosophy that has shaped conservative media for decades. Whether you view this as positive or concerning likely depends on your political perspective, but its significance is undeniable.
The Bottom Line
The Murdoch succession battle is finally over, but its implications are just beginning. By choosing financial compensation over continued influence, three Murdoch siblings have effectively handed their brother the keys to one of America’s most powerful media kingdoms.
As this real-life succession drama concludes, it leaves us with important questions about media concentration, family dynasty influence, and the role of conservative journalism in American democracy. What’s certain is that Fox News viewers and Wall Street Journal readers can expect continuity in the outlets’ conservative editorial direction for decades to come.
The Murdoch empire’s future is now secure—but what does that mean for the future of American media and political discourse? Only time will tell how this family settlement shapes our national conversation.
