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Cable television broadcasting industry

BSkyB Shareholders Re-elect James Murdoch Amid Criticism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has been re-elected as chairman of BSkyB, despite nearly a fifth of shareholders opposing his reappointment. The vote came at the company's annual general meeting in central London, where British lawmakers grilled Murdoch about his handling of the phone-hacking scandal at News International. The opposition to Murdoch's reappointment has sparked concerns about the influence of the Murdoch family over the company.

Key Takeaways:

  • A provisional vote count showed that 18.7% of BSkyB shareholders voted against James Murdoch's reappointment as chairman, with around 44.3% of independent shares cast in dissent according to CtW Investment Group's calculations.
  • The online activist group Avaaz estimated that up to 40% of independent shareholders either withheld or voted against James Murdoch's continued tenure as chairman.
  • The level of opposition to Murdoch's reappointment may make it harder for the Murdoch family to exert as much influence over BSkyB.
  • James Murdoch has been criticized for his handling of the phone-hacking scandal at News International, with many shareholders calling for a change in leadership.
  • The re-election of James Murdoch as chairman has sparked concerns about corporate governance and transparency in the media industry.

Statistics:

  • 18.7% of BSkyB shareholders voted against James Murdoch's reappointment as chairman (CtW Investment Group)
  • 44.3% of independent shares were cast in dissent against James Murdoch (CtW Investment Group)
  • 40% of independent shareholders either withheld or voted against James Murdoch's continued tenure as chairman (Avaaz)
  • 35% of News Corp. shareholders voted against James Murdoch's re-election to the board (News Corp. annual meeting)

Sources:

  • CtW Investment Group, "BSkyB AGM Update" (no date)

+ Source: "CTW INVESTMENT GROUP PRESS RELEASE: Conrad Yeung, Chief Investment Officer, +1 312 626 0655, [cyeung@ctwinvestmentgroup.com](mailto:cyeung@ctwinvestmentgroup.com)"

  • Avaaz, "BSkyB Shareholders Delivered a Blow to James Murdoch" (no date)

+ Source: "Ricken Patel, Executive Director, +1 646 524 5534, [ricken@avaaz.org](mailto:ricken@avaaz.org)"

  • CNN, "BSkyB shareholders re-elect James Murdoch" (no date)

+ Source: Byline: From Nina Dos Santos, CNN LONDON

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