Siobhán McKenna News Corp Link Raises Eyebrows Again
Siobhán McKenna's News Corp Connection
Siobhán McKenna served as a top executive at News Corp for over eight years, rising to CEO of Broadcasting and becoming one of Lachlan Murdoch's closest advisers before departing at the end of 2025 following the Foxtel sale to DAZN. Her tenure involved strategic oversight of key assets like Foxtel, Fox Sports, and Sky News Australia, during which News Corp's Australian broadcasting revenue grew by 12% annually from 2018 to 2023, according to internal financial disclosures. This deep linkage has repeatedly drawn scrutiny due to her influence on major media decisions amid ongoing debates about media concentration in Australia.
Key Career Milestones
McKenna joined News Corp Australia in March 2017 as Group Director of Broadcasting, transitioning from her role as a non-executive director at the Ten Network, where she represented Lachlan Murdoch's Illyria investment vehicle. By 2020, she had ascended to CEO Broadcasting, chairing boards for Foxtel, Fox Sports, and Australian News Channel, overseeing operations that reached 4.2 million Australian subscribers across streaming platforms like Kayo and Binge as of mid-2025.
- Pre-News Corp: Partner at McKinsey & Company (2005-2012), advising on media strategy; Commissioner at Australian Productivity Commission (2012-2015), influencing policy on digital markets.
- 2017 Entry: Appointed to provide "strategic oversight of broadcast assets," per News Corp executive chairman Michael Miller's internal memo on March 15, 2017.
- 2020 Promotion: Named CEO Broadcasting amid COVID-19 disruptions, stabilizing Foxtel's 50% stake value at AUD 1.1 billion.
- 2025 Foxtel Sale: Key architect of the AUD 3.5 billion deal to DAZN, completed July 2025, reducing her role and prompting exit announcement on October 29, 2025.
- Post-Departure: Continues advising via Illyria, owner of Nova Entertainment, maintaining indirect ties.
Throughout her tenure, McKenna's decisions shaped News Corp's pivot to streaming, with Foxtel Group's subscriber base expanding 18% year-over-year in 2024 before the sale.
Timeline of Involvement
- March 15, 2017: Joins News Corp from Ten Network board, focusing on Fox Sports, Sky News, and Foxtel integration.
- February 8, 2016 (Precursor): Appointed to Woolworths board, showcasing her non-executive expertise while building media profile.
- 2021: Leads response to regulatory probes into News Corp's 50% Foxtel stake amid antitrust concerns.
- July 2025: Foxtel sold to DAZN for AUD 3.5 billion; McKenna's role diminishes post-transaction.
- October 29, 2025: Announces departure effective December 31, 2025, praised by CEO Robert Thomson as a "transformational figure."
Roles and Responsibilities
McKenna's positions at News Corp granted her authority over assets generating AUD 1.8 billion in annual revenue by 2024, including oversight of 24/7 news via Sky News Australia, which averaged 1.2 million weekly viewers in 2025. She joined boards of Foxtel, Fox Sports, and Sky News immediately upon hiring, collaborating with executives like Peter Tonagh (Foxtel CEO) on initiatives that boosted digital subscriptions by 25% during the pandemic.
| Year | Role | Key Assets Overseen | Performance Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Group Director Broadcasting | Fox Sports, Sky News, Foxtel (50%) | 15% revenue growth in sports streaming |
| 2020-2025 | CEO Broadcasting | Kayo, Binge, Hubbl | 4.2M subscribers by mid-2025 |
| 2021-2025 | Chairman (Foxtel, Fox Sports, ANC) | Full broadcast portfolio | AUD 3.5B Foxtel sale to DAZN |
The table illustrates her progression from strategic director to deal-maker, with the Foxtel divestiture marking a pivotal shift as News Corp refocused on print and digital news amid a reported AUD 27.4 million net loss in Australian operations for FY2025.
"Siobhán has been one of Lachlan Murdoch's most trusted advisers, having helped steer him through the high-stakes family trust case that cemented his control of Rupert Murdoch's global media empire." - MediaWeek, October 29, 2025.
Controversies and Eyebrows Raised
The News Corp link with McKenna has sparked debate due to her proximity to Lachlan Murdoch during the 2023 family trust battle, where she advised on maneuvers securing his 40% voting control over Rupert Murdoch's empire, valued at USD 20 billion. Critics, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), questioned her dual roles in 2021, citing potential conflicts in Foxtel programming deals that favored News Corp content 65% over competitors.
- 2021 ACCC Probe: Investigated Foxtel's bundling practices under McKenna's watch, resulting in a AUD 50 million fine for anti-competitive behavior.
- Trust Battle Role: Provided counsel during Delaware court proceedings (July 2023), influencing outcomes that preserved News Corp's structure.
- Post-Sale Scrutiny: Departure timing raised questions about internal revenue pressures, with print ad drops of 22% in 2025.
- Ongoing Ties: Illyria advisory role keeps her influential, owning Nova with 7.5 million weekly listeners.
These elements have fueled headlines like "Murdoch power player retires," highlighting how her exit coincides with News Corp's strategic realignment, down 8% in market share for Australian TV news.
Background and Expertise
Before News Corp, McKenna built credentials as a McKinsey partner specializing in media transformation, contributing to projects that digitized 15 major broadcasters globally between 2008 and 2012. Her public sector stint at the Productivity Commission shaped policies adopted in the 2017 Media Bargaining Code, boosting publisher revenues by AUD 200 million annually.
| Period | Position | Key Contribution | Impact Statistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2012 | McKinsey Partner | Media strategy consulting | 15 broadcasters digitized |
| 2012-2015 | Productivity Commissioner | Digital policy reform | Influenced 2017 Bargaining Code |
| 2012-2017 | Ten Network Director | Represented Illyria | Strategic oversight pre-merger |
Industry Impact and Legacy
McKenna's stewardship transformed Foxtel Group into a streaming powerhouse, with Kayo Sports capturing 45% of Australian live sports viewership by 2025, per OzTAM data. Her departure, amid News Corp's Australian net loss of AUD 27.4 million in 2025, signals a post-broadcast era, with focus shifting to digital news aggregation.
- Foxtel Pivot: Launched Binge in 2020, growing to 2.5 million subs by sale.
- Sky News Expansion: Oversaw 24/7 coverage, peaking at 1.5 million prime-time viewers during 2024 elections.
- Regulatory Navigation: Managed ACCC inquiries, averting forced divestitures.
- Legacy Deals: Foxtel-DAZN transaction sets precedent for sports streaming consolidation.
Analysts project her influence persists, with Illyria's Nova gaining 10% audience share in 2026 forecasts.
"A visionary... her epochal decision marks the end of an era." - Robert Thomson, News Corp CEO, October 2025.
Broader Media Landscape Context
In Australia's concentrated media market, where News Corp commands 60% of print circulation per 2025 ACMA reports, McKenna's moves amplified debates on influence. Her McKinsey-honed strategies mirrored global shifts, like the 15% rise in streaming revenues across Murdoch assets worldwide from 2020-2025.
Current board roles at Woolworths and Amcil (since 2016) diversify her portfolio, with Woolworths crediting her media insights for a 7% e-commerce uplift in 2025. The "eyebrows raised" narrative stems from her Murdoch ties during trust disputes, echoing 2011-2023 succession battles.
| Player | TV/News Share | Streaming Share | Key McKenna Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| News Corp/Foxtel | 32% | 28% (pre-sale) | CEO Broadcasting |
| Nine Entertainment | 25% | 22% | Competitor post-Ten merger |
| DAZN (post-acq.) | 18% | 35% | Buyer in 2025 deal |
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Helpful tips and tricks for Siobhan Mckenna News Corp Link Raises Eyebrows Again
What was Siobhán McKenna's exact role at News Corp?
She was CEO Broadcasting from 2020-2025, previously Group Director from 2017, chairing Foxtel, Fox Sports, and Australian News Channel.
Why did McKenna leave News Corp?
Her exit followed the July 2025 Foxtel sale to DAZN, significantly reducing her responsibilities; announced October 29, 2025, effective year-end.
Is McKenna still connected to the Murdoch family?
Yes, she advises Lachlan Murdoch via Illyria, his private vehicle owning Nova Entertainment, post-News Corp departure.
How influential was she at News Corp?
Described as Lachlan's "right-hand woman," she steered broadcasting strategy, key in Foxtel sale yielding AUD 3.5 billion.
When did Siobhán McKenna join News Corp?
March 2017, as Group Director of Broadcasting after resigning from Ten Network.
What is her educational background?
Bachelor of Economics (B.Ec.), with expertise in strategy from McKinsey and public policy.
Has her News Corp connection ended completely?
No, ongoing advisory via Illyria ensures continued strategic input for Murdoch interests.