James Murdoch, the younger son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has secured a $300 million deal to take over a significant portion of Vox Media. Through his investment firm Lupa Systems, he will now own Vox.com, a large podcast network and New York magazine.

The deal strengthens James Murdoch’s position as an independent force in global media, separate from his father’s well-known conservative media outlets.

Split from the Murdoch family business

James had once been considered the leading candidate to eventually head his father’s News Corp and Fox businesses. However, he left the family empire in 2020.

He had raised concerns that his father’s companies were overlooking the realities of climate change and promoting conspiracy theories.

The family later became involved in a legal dispute over the future control of the Murdoch business empire. A settlement was reached last year.

Under the arrangement, his elder brother Lachlan Murdoch gained control of the main Murdoch empire until 2050. James and his sisters each received payouts of around $1.1 billion.

James is now using that wealth to develop his own business interests.

Deal adds to India-linked investments

The latest acquisition does not cover all Vox Media properties. Technology site The Verge and food publication Eater will continue under a separate independent company.

James plans to focus the newly acquired assets on thoughtful journalism and podcast content, including programmes such as Today, Explained.

The deal also carries a link to Murdoch family history. Rupert Murdoch had owned New York magazine decades ago before later selling it.

The acquisition also adds to James Murdoch’s broader international investments.

He already has a presence in India through Bodhi Tree Systems. His firm holds a major stake in the JioStar streaming platform following the merger of Viacom18 and Disney’s Star India.

The Vox deal further expands his media interests, adding digital publishing and podcast businesses to a portfolio that already spans multiple markets and platforms.