Who Owns Fox News? Unpacking the Legacy of Rupert Murdoch and the Lee Family’s Influence

Fox News, the cable news network that reshaped American political discourse, has remained under the stewardship of a powerful media dynast — Rupert Murdoch and his family — despite recent shifts in ownership structure. Founded in 1996, Fox News became a cornerstone of conservative media under Murdoch’s global media empire, News Corp. While the Murdoch family retains ultimate control through complex corporate layers, day-to-day operations are managed by the Leip family, particularly Lachlan Murdoch, making Fox News a rare blend of imperial legacy and dynastic adaptation.

The network’s origins trace back to Murdoch’s vision of a right-leaning alternative to mainstream news. As Rupert Murdoch once asserted, “If you control the news, you control the narrative.” Though he stepped back from active involvement in the U.S. operation years ago, his influence endures through News Corp’s ownership.

Fox News operates as a subsidiary under Fox Corporation, a company that emerged from the 2019 spin-off of 21st Century Fox’s assets. This structural evolution preserved continuity while recalibrating Fox News’ place within a broader media portfolio.

From Rupert Murdoch to the Leip Family: The Ownership Players

At the core of Fox News’ ownership is Lachlan Murdoch, the elder son of Rupert Murdoch and Executive Chairman of Fox Corporation.

Since returning to key leadership roles in the 2010s, Lachlan has consolidated control over the network’s strategic direction. His role combines stewardship of News Corp’s U.S. assets with direct oversight of Fox News’ editorial identity and business operations.

> “Lachlan Murdoch represents continuity with tradition, balancing brand legacy and modern media demands,” said James P. Blount, a media analyst at the Reuters Institute. Under his leadership, Fox News has maintained consistent ratings dominance, particularly among older and politically engaged audiences.

Beyond Lachlan, the Leip family plays a critical intermediary role. Lachlan’s sister, Elisabeth Murdoch’s cousin through marriage linkage, and other relatives influence corporate governance via News Corp’s board, ensuring family values and long-term vision shape executive decisions. Though not day-to-day editors, the Leips act as guardians of the Murdoch ethos—prioritizing editorial independence within careful boundaries and reinforcing Fox’s cultural impact.

Ownership Structure: News Corp, Fox Corporation, and the Layered Hold** Fox News operates under a layered corporate architecture. News Corp, controlled primarily by the Murdoch family through trusts, holds majority sway over Fox Corporation. Fox Corporation — formed in 2019 after split from 21st Century Fox — owns Fox News as its flagship property.

This setup ensures that strategic decisions flow from family-influenced governance, blending global media influence with national broadcast reach.

1. News Corp Core: Holds approximately 51% of voting power in Fox Corporation through family-of-interest trusts.
2. Fox Corporation Direct Ownership: When consolidated, Fox News contributes over 70% of Fox Corp’s operating revenues, justifying family oversight.
3. Board Governance: The board of Fox Corporation includes family-appointed directors with formal authority over major editorial and operational policies.

This structure allows Fox News to operate with a blend of editorial latitude and strategic discipline, aligning with long-standing family objectives.

Editorial Direction and Political Influence

Despite ownership opacity, Fox News’ programming vividly reflects a consistent editorial posture shaped by its ownership.

The network’s prime-time hosts and programming design emphasize conservative viewpoints, investigative reporting on progressive policies, and amplification of alumni figures like Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson. These voices frequently echo themes aligned with the Murdoch family’s historical support for free-market conservatism and skepticism of federal overreach. Audience data confirms this influence: Nielsen ratings consistently place Fox in the top three cable news networks, particularly among viewers over 35 — many of whom describe the channel as a “trusted Morning Paper of Politics.” As media scholar Dr.

Kelly McBride notes, “Fox News does more than report news; it frames national conversations in a way that sustains a loyal viewer base aligned with its editorial DNA.” The ownership’s longue durée perspective enables sustained investment in talent, technology, and regional expansion — all reinforcing Fox’s position as a political powerhouse. While internal shifts occasionally spark scrutiny, the structural stability underpinning ownership ensures continuity in both mission and message.

Legacy, Impact, and the Future of Fox News

Fox News exists as both a journalistic institution and a family-centric enterprise shaped by decades of strategic oversight.

Rupert Murdoch built a news brand that fused entertainment with ideology; his successors, particularly Lachlan Murdoch, have preserved that legacy while adapting to changing viewer habits and digital disruption. Fox News remains a defining force in American media, its ownership tightly interwoven with a narrative of influence, identity, and endurance. As media landscapes evolve, the Leip family and Lachlan Murdoch face mounting pressures — from regulatory scrutiny to generational shifts in audience engagement.

Yet the network’s ability to maintain editorial consistency, financial performance, and political clout speaks to the enduring strength of its ownership framework. Future coverage will hinge on how this dynastic model evolves, but one truth endures: Who owns Fox News is as consequential as what the network reports.