Murdochs start ‘Succession' court battle

RUPERT MURDOCH'S Succession-style court battle over the future of his media empire has begun in the United States, with the media and public barred from the hearings.

- Trsitan Kirk

The 93-year-old tycoon wants to hand control of his businesses, including Fox News and newspaper group News Corp, to his eldest son Lachlan, 53.

But he is being challenged in court by his other children, Prudence, 65, Elisabeth, 55, and James, 51, who would see their stake in the media empire diminished. In scenes reminiscent of HBO hit show Succession — which is loosely based on the Murdoch dynasty — the warring family arrived in a convoy of black vehicles hired from a firm named Presidential. Photographers outside the court in Reno, Nevada, were watched by five armed court guards as well as private security personnel.