Where It All Began
Rupert Murdoch’s father, Keith, was a man of few illusions about the newspaper business. He believed in local journalism as a public service, not a profit center—a philosophy Rupert would later discard. The elder Murdoch’s Adelaide News and News of the World (Australia) were modest operations, but they provided the template: buy struggling papers, inject capital, and turn them around. When Rupert took over in 1952 at age 22, he inherited a company with annual revenues of just £50,000. By 1960, that figure had ballooned to £2 million, thanks to aggressive expansion into radio and television. The early signs of Murdoch’s ambition were unmistakable. He wasn’t content with regional dominance. In 1964, he made his first major foray into the UK market, purchasing the News of the World for £500,000—a move that would later prove pivotal. The paper’s tabloid sensibilities aligned with Murdoch’s vision: bold headlines, relentless coverage of scandal, and an unapologetic embrace of populism. This was the birth of what the Murdochs would own in terms of influence, not just assets. The Sun followed in 1969, and by the 1970s, Murdoch had inserted himself into the fabric of British political life, courting both Labour and Conservative leaders with equal fervor.The Early Signs
Murdoch’s next gambit was television. In 1965, he launched World News in Australia, the first national TV news service in the country. It was a risky play—television was still a fledgling medium—but it paid off. The success of World News convinced him that what the Murdochs owned needed to evolve beyond print. By the late 1970s, he had his sights set on America, where the New York Post (bought in 1976) and later The Wall Street Journal (1985) would become linchpins of his transatlantic empire. The UK and US expansions weren’t just about media; they were about control. Murdoch understood that ownership of information was power. When he took the Times and Sunday Times in 1981, he didn’t just buy newspapers—he acquired gatekeepers of cultural and political discourse. The move was controversial, with accusations of monopolistic practices, but it solidified his reputation as a media mogul who played by his own rules.The Turning Point
The 1980s marked the decade when what the Murdochs owned transcended national borders. The acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 1985 for $2.55 billion (a record at the time) was a statement: Murdoch wasn’t just a newspaper baron anymore—he was a Hollywood player. Fox became the vehicle for his global ambitions, producing films like Titanic and Avatar, while its TV network, Fox News, would later redefine American political media. The real inflection point came in 1993 with the launch of The New York Post’s tabloid sensibilities in the US. Murdoch had already mastered the art of the scandal in the UK; now, he was exporting that formula to a market hungry for sensationalism. But it was Fox News, launched in 1996, that cemented his legacy. While other networks focused on balanced reporting, Murdoch bet on polarization—and won. By 2000, Fox News was the most profitable cable channel in the US, a testament to his ability to anticipate cultural shifts.“Television is not the truth. Television is a medium of entertainment. And when it bleeds, it leads.” —Rupert Murdoch, 1996The quote captures the ethos behind what the Murdochs owned: entertainment as power, and power as profit. Murdoch didn’t just sell news; he sold narratives that shaped public opinion.
The Build-Up, Year by Year
| Period | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| 1952–1964 | Murdoch inherits News Ltd from his father. Expands into radio and regional TV in Australia. Buys News of the World (UK) in 1964. |
| 1969–1979 | Acquires The Sun (UK). Launches World News (Australia’s first national TV news). Moves into US media with New York Post (1976). |
| 1981–1990 | Buys The Times and Sunday Times (UK). Acquires 20th Century Fox (1985). Launches The Australian newspaper. Expands into satellite TV. |
| 1993–2005 | Fox News launches (1996). The Wall Street Journal acquired (2007). MySpace purchased (2005), later sold at a loss. Sky TV (UK) deal finalized. |
| 2010–2020 | News Corp splits into separate entities (2013). Fox Corporation formed (2019), separating US assets. The Washington Post sold to Jeff Bezos, but Murdoch retains stakes in other ventures. |
Lessons From the Journey
- Consolidation over diversity: Murdoch’s strategy was to buy struggling papers, then dominate markets. The result? Fewer voices, but greater control over what the Murdochs owned—and thus, public discourse.
- Political agility: He courted both left and right, adapting his editorial lines to whichever side held power. This flexibility ensured survival in volatile markets.
- Risk tolerance: From MySpace to Fox News, Murdoch bet big on trends before they were mainstream. Not all paid off, but the wins outweighed the losses.
- Global first: While competitors focused on single markets, Murdoch built a transnational empire. What the Murdochs owned was never confined to one country.
- Legacy over loyalty: Murdoch fired editors, sold assets, and pivoted strategies without hesitation. The empire was his, not the other way around.
Where Things Stand Today
Rupert Murdoch stepped down as CEO of News Corp in 2013, but the empire he built shows no signs of slowing. Today, what the Murdochs own is a fragmented but still formidable collection of assets. Fox Corporation, now led by his son Lachlan, controls Fox News, Fox Sports, and a majority stake in The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, News Corp retains ownership of The Sun, The Times, and HarperCollins (publishing). The digital age has forced adaptations. Murdoch’s early foray into social media (MySpace) ended in failure, but his later investments in streaming (like Fox’s partnership with Disney+) reflect a shift toward subscription models. The challenge now is competing with tech giants like Google and Meta, which dominate digital advertising—a sector once controlled by traditional media. Yet, the core of what the Murdochs owned remains unchanged: influence. Fox News still shapes American politics, The Sun sets the agenda in the UK, and The Wall Street Journal remains a global business authority. The empire may have splintered, but its reach endures.
Conclusion
The Murdochs didn’t just build a media empire; they redefined it. What the Murdochs owned was never just newspapers or TV stations—it was the power to shape how millions consumed information. Their story is one of relentless expansion, political savvy, and an unshakable belief in their own vision. As the media landscape evolves, so too must the empire. The question now isn’t whether the Murdochs will fade, but how they’ll adapt. One thing is certain: their fingerprints are everywhere, from the headlines we read to the screens we watch.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Did the Murdochs ever own a Hollywood studio?
A: Yes. In 1985, Rupert Murdoch acquired 20th Century Fox for $2.55 billion, making it the largest media purchase in history at the time. The studio became a key part of what the Murdochs owned, producing blockbusters like Titanic and Avatar.
Q: How did the Murdochs influence UK politics?
A: Through ownership of The Sun and News of the World, Murdoch’s papers wielded significant political power. The Sun famously backed Margaret Thatcher in 1979, and Murdoch’s editorial support was seen as pivotal in her victory. Later, his papers shifted allegiance to Tony Blair’s Labour Party in the 1990s.
Q: What happened to MySpace under Murdoch?
A: Murdoch’s News Corp purchased MySpace in 2005 for a reported $580 million, believing it could compete with Facebook. However, the social network’s decline was rapid, and by 2011, it was sold for just $35 million—a stark reminder of the risks in what the Murdochs owned during the digital transition.
Q: Are the Murdochs still involved in media today?
A: Yes, but in a more streamlined capacity. Rupert Murdoch stepped down as CEO in 2013, but his sons Lachlan and James now lead Fox Corporation and 21st Century Fox (now Disney’s assets). The family retains control over key properties like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Sun.
Q: Did the Murdochs ever own a social media platform?
A: Indirectly. While News Corp never built its own platform, Murdoch’s empire included early investments in digital media, such as MySpace and later partnerships with streaming services like Disney+. However, these were acquisitions rather than organic platform ownership.
Q: How did the Murdochs handle controversies like phone hacking?
A: The 2011 phone hacking scandal at News of the World led to its closure and a £132 million settlement with victims. Murdoch faced intense scrutiny, but the scandal didn’t dismantle his empire. Instead, it accelerated the shift toward digital-first journalism under what the Murdochs owned at the time.
Q: What’s the biggest asset the Murdochs still control?
A: Fox News remains the crown jewel of what the Murdochs own. As of 2024, it is the most profitable cable news network in the US, with a significant influence on American political discourse. The network’s value is estimated in the billions, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
