Who Owns Fox News? Unraveling the Billionaire Empire Behind America’s Most Influential News Network

At the heart of one of the most polarizing media forces in modern U.S. history stands Fox News—a cable news giant that has shaped political discourse, influenced elections, and become a cultural lightning rod. But behind its 24-hour news cycle and polarizing brand lies a complex web of ownership rooted in billionaire capital, conservative philosophy, and strategic consolidation.

Fox News is ultimately owned by Fox Corporation, a publicly traded company formed from the remnants of 21st Century Fox after its 2019 breakup. This ownership structure places the network under the enduring influence of the Murdoch family and a appointed board of directors, with market forces and strategic investors pulling equally critical roles. The story of Fox News ownership begins not with Rupert Murdoch alone, but with a corporate transformation that redefined media power.

When News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch’s global media conglomerate, split in 2019, Fox News Channel became part of the newly independent Fox Corporation. This separation followed years of antitrust scrutiny and internal governance shifts, but the network’s core mission—derived from its conservative editorial voice—remained intact. Per Associated Press reports and internal filings, Fox Corporation is majority-owned by affiliation trusts linked to the Murdochs, with key decision-making oversight retained by trusted executives and board members aligned with their long-standing vision.

Ownership Structure: A Trusted Briefing on Control Fox News operates under a sophisticated ownership stewardship model, blending family influence with institutional governance. The Murdoch family maintains significant indirect control through publicly disclosed trust vehicles—most notably, the News Corp Trust and privately held entities—that ensure continuity in editorial philosophy without direct daily involvement. This structure positions Rupert Murdoch and his heirs as ultimate stewards, their legacy deeply intertwined with the network’s identity.

Fox Corporation’s ownership is publicly documented on the New York Stock Exchange, with major shareholders including longtime family-controlled trusts and institutional investors. As of recent filings, Dartington Investment Management and various investment trusts hold portions of Fox Corporation shares, but ultimate authority rests with the board established post-2019 split. These board members, chosen selectively, reflect a blend of media experience, financial acumen, and ideological alignment with the network’s foundational principles.

Their role extends beyond oversight—they guide strategic investments, executive appointments, and risk management in an era of streaming disruption and shifting viewer habits. The Murdoch Legacy: From Empire to Institution Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul whose vision birthed Fox News in 1996, built the channel as a counterbalance to mainstream liberal-leaning networks, aiming to provide a conservative voice often absent from cable news. Under his direction, Fox News adopted a bold, opinion-driven format that fused news with commentary—a model that resonated deeply with viewers and fueled rapid growth.

Though Murdoch stepped back from active management in 2015 and fully retired from operational roles in 2020, his fingerprints remain on the network’s DNA. His son, Lachlan Murdoch, now Executive Chairman of Fox Corporation, continues to steer the broader media enterprise with a focus on profitability and brand resilience. Lachlan Murdoch represents a generational stewardship, balancing innovation with fidelity to core messaging.

In interviews, he has acknowledged Fox News’s role as both a commercial engine and a cultural force, stating: “Fox News isn’t just a business—it’s a movement. We built it to inform, to provoke, and to connect with people who feel unheard.” This sentiment underscores how ownership transcends shareholders to include ideological foundations passed through family and leadership. Governance in Action: How Decisions Reach the Screen Public company ownership brings transparency—but behind closed doors, Fox Corporation’s board plays a decisive role in shaping Fox News’s trajectory.

The board reviews key strategic initiatives, from digital expansion and audience analytics to litigation defenses and executive compensation. Unlike some media firms where ownership exerts daily control, Fox Corporation’s governance model affords institutional stability. Executives like Chief Operating Officerroffen