Biografia
Rupert Murdoch serves as Executive Chairman of News Corp and Co-Chairman of Fox Corporation, two of the world’s most prominent and influential media companies.
Since 2013, Mr. Murdoch has held the position of Executive Chairman at News Corp following the division of News Corporation into two publicly traded entities: News Corp and 21st Century Fox. He was also Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox from 2015 until its merger with The Walt Disney Company was finalized in March 2019.
In 1954, Mr. Murdoch assumed control of News Limited, an Australian public company whose primary asset at the time was a majority stake in Adelaide’s second-largest daily newspaper. From News Corporation’s founding in 1979, Mr. Murdoch acted as CEO and Chairman, guiding its growth into a global media powerhouse.
News Corporation acquired Sydney’s Daily Mirror in 1960 and launched The Australian, a national newspaper, in 1964. The company expanded into the UK in 1969, acquiring The Sun newspaper.
During the 1980s, News Corporation purchased UK titles The Times and The Sunday Times, along with HarperCollins Publishers, now one of the world’s largest and most digitally advanced book publishers. In 2007, it acquired Dow Jones & Company, including The Wall Street Journal.
In 1985, News Corporation bought Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, which produced numerous acclaimed films, including Titanic and Avatar, the two highest-grossing films ever. The following year, the company established the Fox Television Stations group, laying the groundwork for FOX Broadcasting Company and FOX Sports.
FOX led the U.S. television market for a record eight straight years. In October 1996, News Corporation launched FOX News Channel, the undisputed leader in 24-hour news coverage. The company also launched some of the most popular cable networks in the U.S. and worldwide, such as Fox Sports Network, FX, and National Geographic Channels.
In 2012, News Corporation expanded its presence in Australia by acquiring Consolidated Media Holdings. News Corp Australia is now the majority owner of Foxtel/FOX SPORTS Australia, the country’s largest pay-TV provider, and operates Sky News Australia, a 24-hour multi-channel news service.
News Corp also holds majority stakes in Australia’s digital real estate firm REA Group, which runs leading property websites, and in iProperty Group, owner of several top property portals across Asia. In 2014, News Corp acquired Move, Inc., which operates realtor.com®, a major online real estate service.
Mr. Murdoch has been honored as a Companion of the Order of Australia (A.C.) for his contributions to media and newspaper publishing. He and his family have actively supported and generously donated to numerous educational, cultural, and medical charities throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Asia, and Israel.
