Rupert Murdoch is considering a merger of Fox Corp and News Corp, the two principal elements of his media empire, close to a decade after their separation.
Special committees have been established by both companies to explore the financial terms of any future combination.
Talks between the two companies are said to be at an early stage.
Fox Corp represents Fox News and a network of local TV stations in the United States. It also includes the Tubi Streaming service. News Corp is the parent company of Dow Jones, Harper Collins and through News UK The Times, TalkTV, and UK radio stations including Virgin Radio.
The 2013 split ultimate led to the sale of the Twentieth Century Fox film studio and Star India business, to Walt Disney Co. Murdoch also lost control of Sky to Comcast in a 2018 regulatory tussle.
Rupert Murdoch controls around 39% of News Corp and 42% of Fox Corp. He is the executive chairman of News Corp and chairman of Fox Corp. Son Lachlan Murdoch is also executive chair and chief executive of Fox, and co-chairman of News Corp.
Murdoch’s control over the two companies sits with the family trust, effectively controlled by Rupert Murdoch. His four children from his first two marriages, Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence all have votes.
