According to the Financial Times, Rupert Murdoch’s son James Murdoch is eyeing a new role at the company, one which would include oversight of News Corp.’s U.S. TV businesses. Critically, the new job would not include Fox News Channel, which would remain under the leadership of Roger Ailes, assuming he signs a new deal with News Corp.
Under the role being discussed between News Corp and Mr Murdoch, Peter Rice, the Los Angeles-based head of News Corp’s Fox Networks Group, will report directly to Mr Murdoch, currently the deputy chief operating officer at the company…
Mr Murdoch had pressed for his expanded role to be announced in July, when Mr Rice was promoted to run Fox Networks, according to several people close to the situation. But Rupert Murdoch – his father and News Corp’s chairman – and Chase Carey, the company’s chief operating officer, resisted.
Advertisement
The hiring would generate substantial controversy, given the younger Murdoch’s role in the UK hacking scandal. He was overseeing the UK newspaper businesses when the scandal exploded, and he was one of the high-profile witnesses called before Parliament to explain what happened.