What was the nature of Rupert Murdoch's relationship with Margaret Thatcher? What led to News Corp's near-collapse in the late 1980s, and how did the company recover? Why and how did Tony Blair's "New Labour" court Rupert Murdoch's support in the 1990s?
Alastair is joined by two-time Rupert Murdoch biographer, Michael Wolff, to discuss all this and more.U ... Show More
Sep 2025
Rupert Murdoch presents: Succession
Murdoch has built a media empire that leads all the way to the White House. But nothing lasts forever. And at age 94, he finally has an official successor. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Denise Guerra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, en ... Show More
26m 25s
Sep 2025
How Rupert Murdoch remade the world
Murdoch started his media empire in Australia, sharpened his playbook in the UK, and became one of the most powerful people in the world once he came to the United States. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-c ... Show More
26m 32s
Sep 2025
When the son comes up: the Murdoch succession battle
A high-stakes tussle about who will take over Fox and News Corp from Rupert Murdoch has concluded; Lachlan, his eldest son, came out on top. Will the new boss be the same as the old boss? Our correspondent looks at kush, a synthetic opioid tearing through west Africa. And a look ... Show More
24m 58s
Jul 2024
Electioncast Results: What's in Labour’s In Tray?
Today, now that the election dust has settled, what challenges do the new Labour government face in their first few days? One issue that is already demanding Labour’s attention is the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot in South Wales, with thousands of jobs currently at risk. And, th ... Show More
27m 51s
Apr 2025
128. Whips, Chaos, and secrets from Westminster (Simon Hart)
Why do the wrong people become MPs? How can we transform Westminster into a modern day workplace? How did Simon Hart’s time at The Countryside Alliance inform his politics? Rory and Alastair are joined by the ex-Tory Chief Whip, Simon Hart, to discuss all this and more. Just head ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 2025
When the son comes up: the Murdoch succession battle
A high-stakes tussle about who will take over Fox and News Corp from Rupert Murdoch has concluded; Lachlan, his eldest son, came out on top. Will the new boss be the same as the old boss? Our correspondent looks at kush, a synthetic opioid tearing through west Africa. And a look ... Show More
24m 58s