The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty

Original version

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Documentaries

Factual: Politics

The incredible story of Rupert Murdoch’s influence on world events.

The incredible story of Rupert Murdoch’s influence on world events and the dramatic personal battle for power at the heart of his own family.

Series 1

BBC Four

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two Northern Ireland

BBC Four HD

Jo Becker

Alastair Campbell

Nick Davies

Sarah Ellison

Nigel Farage

Hugh Grant

Les Hinton

Graham Johnson

Mark Lewis

Andrew Neil

Peter Oborne

John Prescott

Alan Rusbridger

Neil Wallis

Tom Watson

David Yelland

Max Mosley

Jamie Roberts

David Glover

Cate Hall

Sophie Wright

Owen Phillips

Justin Badger

Will Grayburn

Samuel R Santana

Kate Fleetwood

72 Films

The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty: Series 1: The Rebel Alliance

The Rebel Alliance

BBC Two - The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty, Series 1, The Rebel Alliance

Rupert Murdoch’s empire comes under attack as crimes and political scandals are revealed.

An alliance forms, including Hugh Grant, that is willing to take on the Murdoch empire. A scandal threatens Rupert’s dream of passing on the family business to one of his children.

An alliance forms, including star Hugh Grant, that is willing to take on the Murdoch empire, and a huge scandal threatens Rupert’s dream of passing on the family business to one of his children.

This is the sensational story of the scandal that almost ruined Rupert Murdoch, and resulted in 'the most humble day' of his life. After Murdoch’s incredible rise, this episode charts his fast fall from grace that left him an isolated figure. It tells the story of how Murdoch’s huge political influence in the UK was finally challenged, revealing a closeness between Murdoch and politics that was suggested to distort democracy and eventually saw four living prime ministers face questioning at the Leveson Inquiry, changing British politics and press forever.

Amid accusations of nepotism, Rupert Murdoch gives his son a senior role within his organisation, a move that many see as a test to see if his son is fit to one day take over. Would-be prime ministers continue to court Murdoch in the hope of winning his support, but whilst Murdoch is being treated like a ‘renaissance pope’ by the political elite, an unlikely alliance begins to form that aims to bring down his empire.

An investigative journalist receives an anonymous tip off that is so explosive that it sets in motion an incredible sequence of events. His investigation reveals crime, corruption and scandal at the heart of the Murdoch empire, leading all the way to one of the prime minister's key advisers. An alliance begins to form around the journalist that includes actor Hugh Grant and politician Tom Watson.

In response to the revelations, the Murdoch empire goes on the offensive, and the alliance comes under sustained pressure. But whistleblowers begin to emerge, and a bombshell revelation completely changes public opinion. A sequence of disastrous events leave Murdoch’s business plans in ruins, he closes a newspaper, employees are ‘thrown under the bus’, and his son finds himself at the heart of the scandal, ruining Rupert’s plans for succession. Murdoch and his son are hauled in to Parliament to face a reckoning, the eyes of the world trained on them. Rupert is humiliated, his once friendly political allies desert him, and his reputation is left in tatters.

The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty: Series 1

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty

Series 1

The Rebel Alliance

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

About BBC Two