http://online.wsj.com/article/APec2e77949aeb4de7ac7155e08b2bb7de.html http://www.multichannel.com/article/486578-Murdoch_Split_Has_Nothing_to_Do_With_Hacking_Scandal.php http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/industries/news-corp-announces-plans-to-split/2012/06/28/gJQAmcjX9V_video.html The gist of it is that the newspaper and the publishing part will be spun off into a new company, with the cable, broadcast and studio in another company. Murdoch wants to be chair at both. This could affect plans for Fox Soccer and any possible new Fox Sports channel.
With the controversy associated with the hacking scandal, there was a chance, albeit small, that Federal authorities would have launched an investigation into the practices of News Corp. However, what prompted this split was pressure from stockholders, not the government. Their argument has been that the overall value of the corp. was being dragged down by the shananigans at the newspaper side. Well, it looked Murdoch had to acceed to some of their demands with this stock split. It also means that there will likely be someone who is going to take greater helm at the broadcasting/cable/digital side. I hear Chase Carey would take over that side. If true, it would mean a more business-oriented approach, as opposed to the personal/political approach of the Murdochs. Any business-oriented approach would require combing over the assets to see where the greatest potential of profits lie. While sports is increasingly more in demand, that doesn't mean that all sports channels can be viable. Is there a future for Fox Soccer or other niche channels at the "new" News Corp.? That's the big question.
Split is official. The publishing side will keep the News Corp name while the entertainment and media side will take on the name of Fox Group. http://www.cullmantimes.com/business/x942841694/MEDIA-News-Corp-s-new-media-co-to-be-named-Fox-Group