The Town with Matthew Belloni The Murdoch Succession War is Over, and Fox Crowns its Next Leader
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Sep 9, 2025 
Matthew Belloni chats with Jim Rutenberg, a New York Times reporter who has followed the Murdoch family for over twenty years. They break down the recent resolution of the succession battle, with Lachlan Murdoch remaining at the helm and dramatic buyouts for his siblings. The discussion dives into the shifting family dynamics, the implications for Fox News under Lachlan's leadership, and the future direction of the media empire. Plus, Matthew shares his insights from the Toronto International Film Festival and Oscar predictions!
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Settlement Secures Lachlan’s Control
- The Murdoch family settled a long-running trust dispute so Lachlan keeps control and his three siblings each take about $1.1 billion.
- The deal secures Fox's future leadership and removed succession uncertainty that had weighed on the company and stock.
Buyout Demand Was Siblings’ Early Strategy
- The siblings initially sought a buyout to free their fortunes and remove themselves from the family trust's control.
- Lachlan refused earlier buyout offers, citing cash constraints and possibly reluctance to cede control.
Leverage Was Strong But Legally Precarious
- The siblings' legal leverage from a favorable Nevada ruling was real but not final and faced aggressive appeals from Rupert's team.
- Ongoing appeals, legal risk and financial drain made continuing litigation less certain and more costly.