James Murdoch becomes chairman of Sky, renewing buyout talk

LONDON (AP) — James Murdoch will be taking over as chairman of the board for European broadcaster Sky, a move that will renew speculation that his family's media empire will try to take over the company, in which it already has a stake.

The 43-year-old is the second son of tycoon Rupert Murdoch, whose family assets include The Wall Street Journal, Fox News and the 20th Century Fox movie studios.

James Murdoch will succeed Nicholas Ferguson four years after resigning from what was then known as BSkyB amid the phone-hacking scandal.

"James' deep knowledge of the international media industry and his passion for supporting Sky's ongoing success will make an even greater contribution to our business in the future," said Jeremy Jeremy Darroch, group CEO.

James Murdoch served as CEO from 2003 to 2007 before holding the position of chairman from 2007 to 2012. But while briefly in charge of British newspapers for Murdoch family interests, he was tainted by the phone-hacking scandal that forced the closure of the tabloid News of the World in 2011.