Rupert Murdoch's succession plan mirrors HBO's 'Succession' drama

A legal battle among Rupert Murdoch's four eldest children is unfolding in Reno, Nevada, echoing the dramatic events of the hit HBO series "Succession." According to court documents obtained by The New York Times, the dispute centers on Rupert Murdoch's attempt to rewrite the family trust, which has long determined the future control of his vast media empire.

The legal proceedings have thus far been kept low-profile, but the stakes are incredibly high for the future direction of Murdoch's media conglomerate, which includes influential entities like Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. One insider remarked, "It's a real-life 'Succession' playing out behind closed doors."

The report, which cites a sealed court document, reveals that Murdoch is attempting to increase Lachlan Murdoch's voting power within the Murdoch Family Trust, securing a majority and preventing any challenges from his siblings.

Lachlan Murdoch currently serves as the chairman of News Corp, which includes publications such as the Wall Street Journal and the Sun, and is also the chair and chief executive of Fox Corp.

The trust currently has eight votes, with four controlled by Murdoch and the remaining four divided among his four children from his first two marriages. Chloe and Grace Murdoch, his youngest daughters from his third wife, Wendi Deng, do not have voting rights in the trust, the report said.

In court, Murdoch argues that allowing Lachlan Murdoch to run the company without interference from his more politically moderate siblings - James, Elisabeth, and Prudence Murdoch - will help maintain its conservative editorial stance, thereby protecting the commercial value for all his heirs, according to the report.



Fox News remains the top US cable news network, playing a significant role in US politics, especially among Republicans who value Fox's conservative-leaning audience.

The report says that Murdoch was concerned that a "lack of consensus" among his four children "would impact the strategic direction at both companies including a potential reorientation of editorial policy and content." Furthermore, he desires to grant Lachlan Murdoch "permanent" and "exclusive" control over the company, as cited in the court's decision.

(With inputs from agencies)