Rupert Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch (Keith Rupert Murdoch), 1931-, Australian-American publishing magnate. Combining sensationalist journalism (often reflective of his generally hawkish, strongly conservative political views) with aggressive promotion, Murdoch established a worldwide communications empire, the News Corporation, that, among other assets, includes powerful holdings in Australia and New Zealand; the prestigious Times of London and other British papers; and, in the United States, HarperCollins book publishers, the New York Post, TV Guide, and the Wall Street Journal. He also acquired 20th Century Fox film studios and home video and built the Fox Television network, as well as television stations in Australia. His other communications ventures include direct-broadcast satellite television and cable networks, and he has purchased broadcast rights to major sports events in Britain, the United States, Australia, and India. He became a U.S. citizen in 1985.

Bibliography: See biography by N. Chenoweth (2002).

Murdoch, (Keith) Rupert (1931– ) US media tycoon, b. Australia. In 1952, Murdoch assumed control of his late father's newspaper, The Adelaide News. He transferred his successful recipe of sensationalist journalism to the British newspapers News of the World (1969) and The Sun (1970). In 1973, he moved into the US newspaper market, acquiring the Boston Herald and The Star. In Britain, he bought The Times and the Sunday Times. In 1985, Murdoch became a US citizen. He began to diversify into other media industries, acquiring 50% of 20th Century Fox. In 1989, Murdoch launched the first satellite broadcasting network in the UK, Sky Television. He also monopolized the development of digital cable television.