The Murdoch family saga, a story that has captivated the media world for years, has finally reached its dramatic conclusion. On September 8, 2025, the family announced a sweeping $3.3 billion deal that cements Lachlan Murdoch’s control over one of the globe’s most powerful media empires, according to The New York Times and HuffPost. This agreement, years in the making and marked by bitter infighting, not only resolves a multiyear succession battle but also locks in the conservative editorial direction of outlets like Fox News, The New York Post, and The Wall Street Journal for decades to come.
The resolution comes after a particularly tense period last winter, when Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch attempted to alter an irrevocable family trust in a bid to dilute the stakes held by Lachlan’s siblings—Prudence (Prue), Elisabeth (Liz), and James Murdoch. Their attempt failed in court, but it set the stage for the negotiations that led to this week’s blockbuster arrangement. As reported by Israel Hayom, the deal sees each of the three eldest siblings receive $1.1 billion for their shares, representing about 80% of their stock’s value as of the close of trading on September 5, 2025.
For Rupert Murdoch, now 94, the agreement is the culmination of a lifetime spent building a media juggernaut from a single Australian newspaper. “The battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought has never been more intense,” the Murdoch patriarch once wrote, emphasizing his desire to see his empire remain a “protector of the conservative voice in the English-speaking world.” By entrusting the reins to Lachlan, Rupert ensures his vision endures, at least until 2050, when the new family trust is set to expire.
The new trust, which replaces the old one that had been a source of familial discord, will hold the controlling interest in Fox Corporation and News Corp. It includes Lachlan and his younger sisters, Grace and Chloe, and is designed to keep the empire under Murdoch family control for another quarter-century. The old trust, established during Rupert’s divorce from his second wife, Anna Mann, had guaranteed equal control to the four eldest children—an arrangement that became increasingly fraught as the family, and the country, grew more politically polarized.
According to The New York Times, the succession battle was further complicated by Fox News’ continued shift to the right, mirroring the political divisions within the Murdoch clan itself. Lachlan, by all accounts, is even more conservative than his father. As Hollywood Reporter’s Lachlan Cartwright told “The New Abnormal” podcast, “It’s important to note that Lachlan’s politics are far more conservative than his father.” In contrast, Elisabeth and James Murdoch have taken more moderate stances, with James openly criticizing some of the family’s Australian outlets for their climate coverage.
For Prue, Liz, and James, the deal represents both a financial windfall and an exit from a media empire whose politics they had often opposed. They are receiving a considerably larger payout than Lachlan had previously offered, as noted by sources familiar with the negotiations. The agreement also brings an end to the ongoing litigation between Rupert, Lachlan, and the three siblings over the family trust. In a sense, both sides can claim victory: Lachlan secures the future he and his father wanted, while his siblings walk away with over a billion dollars each and the freedom to distance themselves from the company’s political influence.
But what, exactly, is Lachlan inheriting? The Murdoch empire is vast and complex, encompassing two main pillars: Fox Corporation and News Corp. According to The New York Times, Fox Corporation includes Fox News Media, Fox Entertainment, Fox Sports, contracts with local affiliate stations, and Tubi Media Group, which operates the rapidly growing free streaming service Tubi. The company’s financials are formidable: for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Fox Corporation reported record revenues of over $16 billion and a net income of $2.29 billion. Advertising revenue alone soared by 26% to $7 billion.
Fox News, the crown jewel of the portfolio, has been the most-watched television network in prime time since Memorial Day, according to Nielsen. Its polarizing anchors and right-leaning content have made it a lightning rod in American politics and culture. Fox Sports, another major asset, broadcast the 2025 Super Bowl—Super Bowl 59—the most-watched in history, drawing 127.7 million viewers. Looking ahead, Fox has secured the rights to broadcast the FIFA men’s World Cup beginning in June 2026, an event whose final match is the most-watched sporting event worldwide. Tubi, meanwhile, surpassed 100 million monthly active users as of June, and Fox recently expanded its digital footprint by launching Fox One, a paid streaming service, and acquiring Caliente TV in Mexico.
News Corp, the other pillar, is equally influential, albeit in different arenas. It encompasses The Wall Street Journal, HarperCollins, The New York Post, Realtor.com, and major British and Australian newspapers such as The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, and The Australian. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, News Corp reported nearly $8.5 billion in revenue and $648 million in net income. HarperCollins, the book publishing arm, contributed $2.1 billion in revenue, marking its second-best year ever. Realtor.com, despite a sluggish U.S. housing market, posted its third consecutive quarter of revenue growth and recently acquired Zenlist, a platform that matches real estate agents with clients.
In August 2025, The New York Post announced plans to expand in 2026 with a new California newspaper, The California Post, further signaling the Murdoch empire’s ongoing ambition. News Corp’s digital and print properties reach millions of readers daily, shaping public discourse not just in the U.S., but across the English-speaking world.
Behind the headlines and the numbers lies a family drama worthy of its own HBO series (and, in fact, it inspired one). The Murdoch succession battle has been described as Shakespearean—a modern parable about power, legacy, and the profound impact of media on democracy. It all began nearly a century ago with Rupert’s father, Keith Murdoch, and has now entered a new chapter under Lachlan’s stewardship.
With the dust finally settling, the future of the Murdoch empire—and its influence on politics, culture, and journalism—appears secure for another generation. Whether that’s cause for celebration or concern depends, as ever, on where one stands on the political spectrum. But one thing is certain: the Murdoch name, and its imprint on the media landscape, isn’t going anywhere soon.
