James Murdoch Stepping Down From BSkyB

Media exec James Murdoch, under pressure over his role in Britain's tabloid phone hacking scandal, is stepping down as chairman of British Sky Broadcasting, the Sky News channel reported today. Sky, the news channel of BSkyB, said his resignation would be confirmed later today after an unscheduled board meeting. It said Murdoch would remain a board member and would be replaced as chairman by Nicholas Ferguson, the current deputy chairman.

News Corp., which owns 39% of BSkyB, had no comment. In February, Murdoch quit as chairman of News International, News Corp.'s British newspaper division. At the time, he indicated he was going to concentrate on managing parts of his father's extensive television businesses. He has also stepped down from the boards of auctioneer Sotheby's and prominent pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline PLC, but remains deputy chief operating officer of News Corp. (More News Corp stories.)