Lachlan Murdoch
Lachlan Murdoch

Lachlan Murdoch, 46-year-old executive chairman at 21stCentury Fox, will become CEO of the revamped media company following completion of the $66B sale of its movie studio, cable networks and overseas businesses to Walt Disney Co.

His 87-year-old father Rupert will keep the executive chairman post.

James Murdoch, Lachlan’s 45-year-old brother, currently helms Fox. It’s not clear whether he will take a post at Disney.

The new Fox will include Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Broadcasting Co., Fox Sports, Fox Television Group and cable sports channels. It will hold rights to the NFL, MLB, World Cup and NASCAR.

Rupert Murdoch said Fox will be the only media company solely focused on the US market and “on what America loves best—sports, news and entertainment.”