The Grill Room Lachlan’s Coup & The Murdoch Legacy
Sep 10, 2025
In this thrilling discussion, Peter Hamby, host of The Powers That Be podcast at Puck, invites Dylan Byers to unpack the dramatic succession saga of the Murdoch family. They delve into Lachlan Murdoch taking control of the empire while the other siblings cash out. The tension among family members echoes high-stakes drama, and they speculate on Lachlan’s contrasting leadership style and its impact on Fox News. The episode also touches on potential media ventures from James and Liz, highlighting the ever-evolving media landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Murdoch Succession Is Settled
- Rupert and Lachlan finalized a deal that concentrates control of News Corp and Fox Corp under Lachlan while the other siblings receive cash payouts.
- The agreement resolves a long-running family succession dispute and reshapes conservative media influence for years.
Siblings Take Cash, Lachlan Gets Control
- The trust gives Lachlan operational control while Prudence, Elizabeth, and James take billion-dollar cash settlements.
- That shift ends the multi-year contest over who would inherit Rupert's media empire.
Chance Run-In With James Murdoch
- Dylan bumped into James Murdoch at the U.S. Open while getting a drink called a honey deuce.
- James and his wife walked away before Dylan could ask about the deal, so he learned nothing there.