Rupert Murdoch will reportedly step down from his position as CEO of Twenty-First Century Fox.
The 84-year-old media magnate will hand his empire off to his son James, according to sources who spoke to CNBC's David Faber. If the sources' information is reliable, this would end the reign of one of the most legendary and controversial media executives in history. (Video via The Wall Street Journal)
Murdoch took over Australia's "The News" and "Sunday Mail" in his early 20's after the death of his father and quickly grew a reputation as a shrewd, calculating businessman.
"So began a pattern for Murdoch's career. Hostile takeovers, a rapid expansion, bold risk-taking," a reporter for The Guardian said.
That empire eventually became News Corporation, or News Corp. — a massive conglomerate that included 20th Century Fox, The Wall Street Journal, HarperCollins Publishers and dozens of other properties.
Murdoch ran into significant trouble in recent years after a media phone-hacking scandal was exposed at News of the World and some of Murdoch's other U.K. newspapers. (Video via The Telegraph)
Murdoch split News Corp. into two companies in 2013. The News Corp. company remained dedicated to publishing, and the company Murdoch is CEO of now — Twenty-First Century Fox — is devoted to entertainment.
While there's no comment so far from the parties involved, CNBC's Faber reported Murdoch stepping down "is not expected to change much of what he does day to day as chairman of both Fox and News Corp., but the change at Fox is clearly an acknowledgement that the next generation of Murdochs is ready to take its place in leading the media giant."
This video includes images from Getty Images.
