What News Outlets Are Owned by Murdoch? A Complete 2026 Guide
When you pick up a newspaper, turn on the TV, or scroll through your news feed, you might not realize how many of the headlines you see come from just a few powerful families. One name stands out more than any other: Murdoch. Rupert Murdoch, now 95, built a media empire that touches millions every day - from the conservative opinion pages of the Wall Street Journal to the tabloid headlines of The Sun and the 24/7 political coverage of Fox News.
News Corp: The Publishing Arm
News Corp is the part of Murdoch’s empire that owns newspapers, magazines, and digital news sites. After the 2013 split from 21st Century Fox, News Corp focused on publishing. It’s still one of the biggest newspaper companies in the world, with operations in the U.S., Australia, and the U.K.In the United States, News Corp owns The Wall Street Journal, acquired in 2007 for $5 billion. It’s not just a financial paper - it’s a cultural institution. Its news section is widely respected for its reporting, even by critics who disagree with its editorial stance. It also owns the New York Post, a tabloid known for bold headlines and strong conservative opinions. In January 2026, News Corp launched the California Post, a new digital-first publication based in Los Angeles, aiming to bring the same tone to the West Coast.
Other U.S. publications under News Corp include Barron’s, a financial magazine for investors; MarketWatch, a real-time financial news site; Investor’s Business Daily; and Mansion Global, which covers luxury real estate. They also own San Antonio Express-News and TV Guide - yes, the same one you used to flip through on Friday nights.
In the United Kingdom, News Corp owns two of the most influential papers: The Times and The Sunday Times. These are broadsheets with deep investigative journalism, but they’re also known for their right-leaning editorial positions. Then there’s The Sun, the UK’s most-read daily newspaper with around 1.2 million copies sold daily. It’s famous for its splashy front pages, celebrity gossip, and political endorsements - often backing conservative parties. The Sun’s sister paper, the now-defunct News of the World, was shut down in 2011 after the phone-hacking scandal that rocked the Murdoch empire.
In Australia, News Corp dominates. It owns The Daily Telegraph in Sydney, Herald Sun in Melbourne, and The Australian, the country’s only national daily newspaper. Together, these papers reach over 4 million readers each week. They also own dozens of regional papers across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, including the Daily Mirror in Sydney.
Fox Corporation: The Television Powerhouse
While News Corp handles print and digital publishing, Fox Corporation runs the TV side. This is the part of the empire that survived Disney’s $71.3 billion buyout of 21st Century Fox in 2019. Fox Corp is still controlled by the Murdoch family.The crown jewel is Fox News Channel, launched in 1996. It’s the most-watched cable news network in the U.S., especially among conservative viewers. According to Pew Research, 94% of Republicans trust Fox News, while only 11% of Democrats do - the widest partisan gap of any major news outlet. Fox News doesn’t just report the news - it shapes political narratives. A 2021 Harvard study found that 87% of Fox News coverage during Trump’s presidency aligned with his messaging, far above the 42% average of other cable networks.
Fox Corp also owns the Fox Broadcasting Company, which runs prime-time shows and sports like NFL games and the World Series. Its Fox Television Stations group owns local TV stations in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. And then there’s Fox News Radio, which feeds conservative talk content to hundreds of AM/FM stations nationwide.
International Holdings and Past Assets
Murdoch’s reach isn’t limited to the U.S., U.K., and Australia. In the past, he owned major outlets around the world - and some of those still carry his influence.He once owned the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s leading English-language paper. He sold his stake in 1994 to Malaysian investors, but the paper still carries echoes of its Murdoch-era style: sharp political reporting mixed with commercial focus. In Australia, he controls Sky News Australia, which broadcasts through Foxtel, a pay-TV service he owns 65% of.
He also owns HarperCollins, one of the world’s largest book publishers. It releases about 10,000 titles a year - from fiction to political memoirs - and has published books by prominent conservative voices like Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro.
Who Controls It All Now?
Rupert Murdoch is still alive, but he’s stepped back. His sons, James and Lachlan, now run Fox Corporation and News Corp. In September 2025, the family trust announced a major restructuring: James, Lachlan, and their sister Elisabeth sold part of their shares in a $3.3 billion deal. This wasn’t just a financial move - it was a signal that the next generation is preparing to take full control.The Murdoch family still owns voting shares in both News Corp and Fox Corp, giving them decisive control over editorial direction, executive hires, and major acquisitions. Even though Rupert isn’t making daily decisions anymore, his legacy - and his belief in the power of media to shape public opinion - still guides the company.
Why It Matters
The Murdoch empire isn’t just a collection of newspapers and TV channels. It’s a political force. Studies show Murdoch-owned outlets consistently publish more content favorable to conservative parties than center-left ones. In the UK, Australia, and the U.S., their coverage has influenced elections, shaped debates on immigration, and fueled polarization.At the same time, these outlets are adapting. Print circulation is down - News Corp lost nearly 40% of its print ad revenue between 2019 and 2024. But digital subscriptions are growing. Dow Jones now has over 6.2 million paid subscribers across its sites. Fox News remains profitable, drawing in billions in ad revenue every year.
Regulators have tried to stop the empire from growing. In 2018, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority blocked Murdoch’s attempt to buy full control of Sky UK, citing concerns over too much media power in one family’s hands. He walked away, selling his stake to Comcast for $11.6 billion.
But control isn’t just about ownership. It’s about influence. Even when Murdoch doesn’t own a paper, his style - sensational headlines, strong opinions, loyalty to conservative politics - has been copied by others. He didn’t just own news outlets. He redefined what news could be.
What’s Next?
The launch of the California Post in 2026 is a big clue. This isn’t just another website. It’s a statement. The Murdochs believe there’s still room for a conservative voice in a state that’s become increasingly liberal. They’re betting that readers are tired of what they see as media bias - and willing to pay for an alternative.With digital subscriptions rising and Fox News still dominating cable, the empire isn’t fading. It’s evolving. The next decade will show whether the Murdoch model - opinion-driven, politically charged, digitally savvy - can survive in an age of TikTok, AI news bots, and declining trust in traditional media.
For now, if you’re reading news from the Wall Street Journal, The Sun, or watching Fox News, you’re seeing the work of a media dynasty that’s lasted over 70 years. And it’s not done yet.
Does Rupert Murdoch still own Fox News?
Yes, Rupert Murdoch and his family still control Fox News through Fox Corporation. Although he stepped down as CEO in 2019, he remains the chairman emeritus. His sons, James and Lachlan Murdoch, now run the company and hold controlling voting shares.
What newspapers does Murdoch own in the UK?
Murdoch’s News Corp owns three major UK publications: The Times, The Sunday Times, and The Sun. The Times and Sunday Times are broadsheets with serious journalism, while The Sun is a tabloid known for bold headlines and strong political stances. News of the World, a Sunday tabloid, was closed in 2011 after a phone-hacking scandal.
Is the Wall Street Journal owned by Murdoch?
Yes, the Wall Street Journal is owned by News Corp, which is controlled by the Murdoch family. News Corp bought the Journal’s parent company, Dow Jones, for $5 billion in 2007. While the news section is respected for its reporting, the opinion pages are known for their conservative editorial stance.
Does Murdoch own any news outlets in Australia?
Yes, News Corp Australia is one of the largest media companies in the country. It owns The Daily Telegraph (Sydney), Herald Sun (Melbourne), The Australian (national), and dozens of regional papers. The Australian has a weekday circulation of over 113,000 and is the only national daily newspaper in the country.
What happened to Sky UK?
News Corp owned 39% of Sky UK before attempting to buy the rest in 2018. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority blocked the deal, citing concerns over media concentration. Murdoch then sold his stake to Comcast for £11.6 billion. Sky News Australia, however, is still owned by News Corp through its Foxtel joint venture.
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