News Corp.

News Corp.
Name	News Corp
Type	Public
Industry	Mass media
Founded	2013
Founder	Rupert Murdoch
Headquarters	Manhattan, New York City
Area served	Global
Key people	Robert Thomson (Chief Executive)
Products	Newspapers, book publishing, digital real estate, cable network programming
Revenue	US$?? billion (latest)
Num employees	~? (global)

News Corp. is a multinational mass media and publishing conglomerate with operations spanning newspapers, book publishing, digital real estate, and cable network programming. Founded through a 2013 corporate reorganization, the company controls a portfolio of legacy and modern media properties across Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other markets. Its activities intersect with notable institutions, publications, corporate transactions, and regulatory proceedings that have shaped contemporary media landscapes.

History

The company's 2013 formation followed a strategic split influenced by assets tied to Rupert Murdoch and corporate decisions involving 21st Century Fox and legacy holdings such as The Times (London), The Sunday Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Earlier antecedents include the growth of News Corporation (1980) through acquisitions like HarperCollins, The New York Post, New York Post (New York City), and regional chains that interacted with regulators including the Federal Communications Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Over time, major transactions connected the firm to deals with Disney, Comcast, and strategic moves tied to the sale of entertainment assets to The Walt Disney Company and spin-offs involving 21st Century Fox (2013) entities. The corporate history features interactions with media figures such as Rebekah Brooks, James Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch (senior) and executives who previously operated at News International and other subsidiaries.

Corporate structure and subsidiaries

The corporate structure includes public companies and controlled subsidiaries with roots in publishing houses like HarperCollins Publishers and news organizations such as Dow Jones & Company (publisher of a flagship financial daily) and broad newspaper groups spanning Australia and the UK. The conglomerate's portfolio connects to corporate families and investment vehicles that have been involved in cross-border listings on exchanges like the NASDAQ and Australian Securities Exchange. Subsidiaries operate in segments that interface with companies such as Move, Inc. in digital real estate and longstanding imprints associated with HarperCollins UK and imprints linked to global distribution networks like Hachette Book Group competitors. The group's corporate governance has seen engagement with institutional investors including BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and activist shareholders that have influenced board composition and executive appointments.

Business operations and assets

Operations encompass daily and weekly newspapers including prominent titles in the United Kingdom and Australia, book publishing through imprints with histories dating to Benjamin Franklin's era competitors, and digital real estate platforms offering listings and property data services. Broadcast and cable activities historically intersected with film and television assets who worked in markets alongside 21st Century Fox networks and distribution deals with studios such as 20th Century Fox prior to its sale. The company maintains commercial relationships with advertising and technology firms such as Google, Meta Platforms, and Amazon (company), and participates in subscription models that reference benchmarking against outlets like The New York Times Company and The Washington Post. Its portfolio includes regional publishing groups with archives comparable to collections held by institutions such as the British Library and partnerships with journalism schools including those at Columbia University and University of Melbourne for internships and research collaborations.

Controversies and legal issues

The company and its predecessors have been embroiled in high-profile controversies and legal proceedings involving allegations tied to tabloid practices, phone hacking scandals that prompted investigations by entities such as the Leveson Inquiry, and regulatory scrutiny from authorities including the Metropolitan Police Service and the United States Department of Justice. Litigation and settlements have implicated executives and journalists associated with titles that faced civil claims alongside libel and defamation suits brought under statutes in jurisdictions like England and Wales and U.S. state courts. Corporate transactions have attracted antitrust review by agencies such as the European Commission and the Department of Justice (United States), and shareholder disputes have reached forums including the New York Stock Exchange and arbitration panels. Public debates have involved politicians and public figures who have contested coverage in outlets comparable to those operated by other major media groups like News International contemporaries.

Financial performance

Financial performance is publicly reported via filings with securities regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and includes metrics for revenue, operating income, and net income comparable to peer companies like Gannett and Tronc (Tribune Publishing). Revenue streams derive from print advertising, digital subscriptions, book sales, and property listing services, while profitability has been affected by structural changes in advertising markets involving companies like Facebook (Meta) and Alphabet Inc. (Google). Capital allocation has included share repurchases, dividend policies influenced by major shareholders including members of the Murdoch family’s holding interests, and debt financing via investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

Corporate governance and leadership

Leadership has featured executives experienced at major media companies and publishing houses, with boards that include industry figures, independent directors, and representatives of institutional investors. Chief executives and chairpersons have managed relationships with regulatory bodies including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, governance standards set by exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange, and oversight influenced by advisory firms like ISS (Institutional Shareholder Services) and Glass Lewis. Significant leadership transitions have drawn attention from business press outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Bloomberg News.

Category:Companies established in 2013 Category:Mass media companies of the United States