• by Wayne Friedman , June 16, 2015

21st Century Fox has made it official: Rupert Murdoch will leave his post as chief executive officer on July 1, 2015. Murdoch will hand over the CEO post and its day-to-day responsibilities to his son, James Murdoch, currently 21st Century Fox’s co-COO.

Rupert Murdoch, the company’s founder, chairman/chief executive officer, together with Lachlan Murdoch, currently co-chairman, will become executive co-chairmen.

Fox says the company’s global television and film operations will now jointly report to Lachlan and James Murdoch. CNBC first broke the story last week about senior executive changes at Fox.

Chase Carey, Fox’s deputy chairman, president/chief operating officer since 2009, will leave the company after June 30, 2016. Until that time he will transition to executive vice chairman.

In a statement, Rupert Murdoch said: “It has always been our priority to ensure stable, long term leadership for the Company, and these appointments achieve that goal.”

He adds: “Lachlan and James are each talented and accomplished executives and together, we, as shareholders and partners, will strive to take our company to new levels of growth and opportunity at a time of dynamic change in our industry.”

Concerning Carey's departure, Murdoch said: “I can’t thank Chase Carey enough for his friendship, counsel and leadership over the past decades. He will be actively engaged in supporting Lachlan and James as they step into their new roles.”