The dispute echoes the power struggles depicted in Succession, the TV show that was closely inspired by the life of the Murdochs as well as other media dynasties. Lachlan, 52, has been positioned as his father's heir apparent in recent years after assuming the role of chief executive and chairman of TV group Fox Corporation in 2019 and chairman of News Corp last year. News Corp controls newspapers in the US, UK and Australia, including The Times, The Sun and The Wall Street Journal.