# News Corporation

> multinational media corporation (1980–2013)

**Wikidata**: [Q185278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185278)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_Corporation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/news-corporation

## Summary
News Corporation was a multinational media corporation founded in 1980, operating as a publicly traded company that owned major publications, television networks, and film studios. It was dissolved in 2013 after restructuring into News Corp and 21st Century Fox, marking the end of its 33-year existence as a dominant force in global media.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1980 by Rupert Murdoch, initially as a publicly traded company
- Dissolved in 2013 after restructuring into News Corp and 21st Century Fox
- Operated as a multinational media corporation with headquarters in New York City
- Owned major publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Times (UK), and The Sun (UK)
- Controlled television networks such as Fox News, Fox Broadcasting Company, and Fox Sports
- Acquired film studios including 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios
- Employed approximately 51,000 people at its peak
- Traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NWS
- Founded by Rupert Murdoch, who served as its chairman until 2013
- Restructured in 2013 to form News Corp and 21st Century Fox
- Owned by Rupert Murdoch through News Corporation Ltd.
- Headquarters located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New York City
- Industry classification includes mass media, entertainment, and publishing
- Dissolved on June 28, 2013, after corporate restructuring
- Sitelink count of 49 on Wikipedia
- Followed by News Corp and 21st Century Fox as successor entities
- Instance of a multinational media corporation and publicly traded company
- Follows Rupert Murdoch as its founder and primary executive figure

## FAQs
**What was News Corporation and when was it founded?**
News Corporation was a multinational media corporation founded in 1980 by Rupert Murdoch. It operated as a publicly traded company and owned major publications, television networks, and film studios across multiple continents.

**Who founded News Corporation and what was its primary focus?**
News Corporation was founded by Rupert Murdoch in 1980. Its primary focus was on media ownership, including newspapers, television networks, and film studios, making it one of the world's largest media conglomerates.

**What major publications and television networks did News Corporation own?**
News Corporation owned major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Times (UK), and The Sun (UK). It also controlled television networks including Fox News, Fox Broadcasting Company, and Fox Sports, which became influential in American media.

**What happened to News Corporation in 2013?**
In 2013, News Corporation underwent a major restructuring, splitting into two separate companies: News Corp and 21st Century Fox. This restructuring marked the end of News Corporation as a single entity.

**Where was News Corporation headquartered and how was it structured?**
News Corporation was headquartered at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New York City. It was structured as a publicly traded company, operating across multiple continents with a workforce of approximately 51,000 people at its peak.

**What was the significance of Rupert Murdoch's role in News Corporation?**
Rupert Murdoch was the founder and chairman of News Corporation. His leadership was instrumental in building the company into one of the world's largest media conglomerates, owning major assets including The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and 20th Century Fox.

**What was the outcome of News Corporation's restructuring in 2013?**
The restructuring in 2013 resulted in the creation of News Corp, which focused on publishing, and 21st Century Fox, which retained the entertainment and media assets. This split reflected the growing divergence between traditional publishing and entertainment businesses in the digital age.

**What are some notable achievements of News Corporation?**
News Corporation is notable for founding Fox News in 1996, which became one of the most-watched cable news networks in America. It also acquired 20th Century Fox, which held the Star Wars franchise and numerous other major film properties, and pioneered digital streaming through Hulu.

## Why It Matters
News Corporation mattered as one of the most influential media conglomerates in modern history, fundamentally shaping the landscape of global journalism, entertainment, and political discourse. Its aggressive expansion strategy demonstrated how vertical integration in media—from content creation to distribution—could create unprecedented competitive advantages. The creation of Fox News in 1996 established a new model for cable news broadcasting that prioritized opinion and commentary over traditional objective reporting, fundamentally altering the American media landscape and influencing political discourse for decades.

Its role in consolidating the global entertainment industry cannot be overstated. The acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 by Disney, following years of Murdoch's strategic building of the studio's assets, created the largest entertainment company in the world. Its early investment in Hulu in 2007 demonstrated prescient understanding of streaming's future, positioning its companies at the forefront of the digital content revolution that transformed entertainment consumption globally.

News Corporation's influence extended to political and social spheres across multiple nations. Its newspaper holdings in the United Kingdom have been credited with influencing elections and public opinion, while its American media properties became central to political discourse. The model of media ownership it pioneered—combining newspapers, television, and digital platforms—became the template for modern media conglomerates. Without News Corporation's innovations in media consolidation and opinion-driven broadcasting, the contemporary landscape of global news and entertainment would be fundamentally different.

## Notable For
- **Media Empire Builder**: Founded and controlled News Corporation, one of the world's largest media conglomerates with operations spanning newspapers, television, film, and digital media across multiple continents
- **Fox News Founder**: Created Fox News in 1996, which became one of the most-watched cable news networks in America and transformed political media discourse
- **Global Publishing Influence**: Owned major newspapers including The Wall Street Journal, The Times (UK), The Sun (UK), and News of the World (UK)
- **Entertainment Industry Dominance**: Controlled 20th Century Fox, which held the Star Wars franchise and numerous other major film properties
- **Dual Citizenship**: Held both Australian and American citizenship, making it one of the most prominent trans-Pacific media moguls
- **Centenary Medal Recipient**: Awarded Australia's Centenary Medal in 2001 for service to Australian society and business
- **Great Immigrants Award**: Received the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Great Immigrants Award in 2006
- **Financial Times Person of the Year**: Named Financial Times Person of the Year for its considerable influence in global media
- **Longest Work Period**: Active in the media industry from 1952 to 2023, spanning over seven decades

## Body

### History and Foundation
News Corporation was founded in 1980 by Rupert Murdoch, who had previously built a media empire through his ownership of newspapers and television networks. The company was initially structured as a publicly traded entity, allowing it to raise capital through the New York Stock Exchange. This public listing was a key factor in its ability to pursue aggressive acquisition strategies that would define its growth.

The company's early years were marked by significant acquisitions, including the purchase of the News of the World in 1969, which expanded its presence in the UK market. This acquisition was part of a broader strategy to build a global media network, with operations spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Asia. By the time of its peak, News Corporation employed approximately 51,000 people and operated across multiple continents, making it one of the world's largest media companies.

### Corporate Structure and Ownership
News Corporation was owned by Rupert Murdoch through News Corporation Ltd., a publicly traded company with a significant market presence. The company's headquarters were located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New York City, a prominent address in the financial district. This location reflected the company's status as a global media powerhouse, with operations and influence extending far beyond its corporate headquarters.

The company was structured as a multinational media corporation, with a diverse portfolio of assets that included newspapers, television networks, film studios, and digital media platforms. This vertical integration allowed News Corporation to control the entire production and distribution process for its content, creating a competitive advantage in the media industry. The company's ability to produce, distribute, and monetize its own content was a key factor in its success.

### Major Subsidiaries and Assets
News Corporation owned a diverse range of media assets, including major newspapers, television networks, and film studios. The company's newspaper portfolio included The Wall Street Journal, The Times (UK), and The Sun (UK), which were among the most influential publications in their respective markets. These newspapers were known for their authoritative reporting and wide circulation, making them critical sources of information for professionals and the general public.

The company's television network portfolio included Fox News, Fox Broadcasting Company, and Fox Sports, which became influential in American media. Fox News, in particular, was a pioneer in the cable news industry, establishing a new model for political media discourse that prioritized opinion and commentary. The network's success was a key factor in the company's growth and expansion into the digital media space.

News Corporation also owned major film studios, including 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios. These studios were responsible for producing major film franchises, including the Star Wars franchise, which became one of the most successful and enduring properties in the entertainment industry. The company's investment in animation through Blue Sky Studios also contributed to the computer animation revolution that redefined family entertainment in the 21st century.

### International Expansion
News Corporation's international strategy extended far beyond the English-speaking world. The company established operations in Europe, Asia, and Australia, building a global media network that spanned multiple continents. This international expansion was a key factor in the company's success, allowing it to reach a global audience and establish a presence in key markets.

The company's international operations included the acquisition of Sky Group in 1990, which became a leading British media and telecommunications conglomerate. Sky Italia, launched in 2003, expanded satellite broadcasting into the Italian market, further diversifying the company's portfolio. These international acquisitions demonstrated Murdoch's understanding of the global media landscape and his ability to build a truly global media empire.

### Corporate Restructuring and Legacy
In 2013, News Corporation underwent a major restructuring, splitting into two separate companies: News Corp and 21st Century Fox. This restructuring reflected the growing divergence between traditional publishing and entertainment businesses in the digital age. News Corp focused on publishing, while 21st Century Fox retained the entertainment and media assets, including Fox News, Fox Broadcasting Company, and Fox Sports.

The acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company in 2019 for over $71 billion marked the end of an era in media history. Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Blue Sky Studios, National Geographic, and the Fox television production assets, immediately becoming the largest entertainment company in the world. The dissolution of Fox Entertainment Group on March 20, 2019, following this acquisition, represented the conclusion of one of the most significant chapters in American entertainment history.

However, the Fox brand continued through Fox Corporation, created in 2019 as a separate company to retain the Fox broadcast network, Fox News, Fox Sports, and the Fox television station group. This new company, with approximately 9,000 employees, maintains the Fox presence in American news and sports media, ensuring the brand's continued influence in these critical sectors.

### Personal Recognition and Impact
Throughout its history, News Corporation received numerous recognitions for its contributions to media and society. The Centenary Medal, awarded by Australia in 2001, honored Rupert Murdoch's service to Australian society and business. His selection as Financial Times Person of the Year reflected the company's considerable influence on global media. The Great Immigrants Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2006 specifically celebrated Murdoch's immigrant contributions to American life, acknowledging his journey from Australian newspaper heir to American media mogul.

News Corporation's impact on media extends far beyond its corporate holdings. Its tabloid journalism style influenced newspaper publishing worldwide. Its creation of Fox News established a new model for cable news that prioritized opinion and commentary. Its early investments in digital streaming through Hulu demonstrated prescient understanding of how media consumption would evolve. The model of media ownership it pioneered—combining newspapers, television, film, and digital platforms—became the template for modern media conglomerates worldwide.

### Relationship to Connected Entities
News Corporation's connections to other entities in the source material demonstrate its central position in the media ecosystem. Its relationship to the New York Stock Exchange reflects its role as a publicly traded company subject to market forces and investor oversight. The connection to Rupert Murdoch as its founder establishes the company's historical roots in media ownership and demonstrates the long heritage of the Fox brand in American entertainment.

The company's relationship to the United States as its country of operation reflects its position as an American institution that became a significant cultural export around the world. American films and television programs produced under the News Corporation banner reached global audiences, spreading American cultural products and influencing entertainment industries in countries around the world.

### Financial and Employment Data
News Corporation employed approximately 51,000 people at its peak, representing a substantial workforce across its various subsidiaries and divisions. This employment figure reflects the company's significant presence in the entertainment industry, providing jobs in film production, television broadcasting, news operations, animation, and corporate administration. The company's status as a major employer in key locations where it maintained operations made it an important contributor to local economies.

The company's financial performance as a publicly traded entity on the NYSE was closely watched by investors and analysts who tracked its revenue, profits, and growth trajectory. The entertainment industry's inherent volatility, with its dependence on hit productions and changing consumer preferences, created both opportunities for significant returns and risks that required careful management. The company's ability to maintain employment levels and continue operations over decades demonstrated its resilience in a challenging industry.

## References

1. IdRef
2. Library of Congress Name Authority File
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. SNAC
5. ROR release v1.19
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Global LEI Index
8. BBC Things
9. [Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno](https://ipac.svkkl.cz/arl-kl/cs/detail-kl_us_auth-0317033-News-Corporation)