Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Murdoch Near Deal to Sell Weekly Standard

Wall Street Journal makes conservative mag unnecessary

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2009 12:19 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. is close to a deal to sell the Weekly Standard to billionaire media mogul Philip Anschutz, the Los Angeles Times reports. The conservative magazine boasts a modest circulation of 83,000, though Murdoch has long prized the cachet it granted him in Washington. But Murdoch now has his Wall Street Journal editorial pages to push similar views to a wider audience.

There have also been signs that Murdoch’s personal politics are drifting toward to the center. And while the Standard was never intended to be a big money-maker, News Corp. won’t miss it financially. On the other side, the Standard seems like an odd fit for Anschutz, best known for owning stadiums and sports concerns, like the Staples Center and Los Angeles Kings, and a few production studios.

The cover of the most recent Weekly Standard.
The cover of the most recent Weekly Standard.   (Weekly Standard)
William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard, poses on the red carpet upon arrival at a salute to Fox News Channel's Brit Hume, Jan. 8, 2009, in Washington.
William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard, poses on the red carpet upon arrival at a salute to Fox News Channel's Brit Hume, Jan. 8, 2009, in Washington.   (Getty Images)
Rupert Murdoch listens to questions during a media conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 28, 2009.
Rupert Murdoch listens to questions during a media conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo)
This image, found on the Weekly Standard's site, shows a poster the magazine is selling of Sarah Palin.
This image, found on the Weekly Standard's site, shows a poster the magazine is selling of Sarah Palin.   (Weekly Standard)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
kokuaguy
Jun 13, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
CS, where you been keeping yourself? Is there another website where your pearls of wit & wisdom can be enjoyed? Don't you think the message is a little mixed when you use that tiny Obama avatar that has its tag line missing? Your profile says you're an avid reader. Let's say that you could require all your Libofascist foes here on newser to read just one thing (book, essay, whatever)-- what would it be?
myvoice
Jun 11, 2009 8:11 AM CDT
Its your type clearsight tha is the clear and present danger to our freedoms! Calling someone a Marxist because they are practicing their freedom of speech is the problem! Not robert, who by the way is correct on the Murdoch's empire dwindling away. Kinda like how the UK and the US's power over the rest of the world. See this is what happens when countries and people cant see past their own arrogance!
Robert_Dada
Jun 11, 2009 5:22 AM CDT
The sun is setting on his empire.

What will change at the Standard?
National Interest

Investors hope sale is a sign
Daily Finance

Media • Money

 
Rupert Murdoch • Weekly Standard • Los Angeles Kings • News Corp • Philip Anschutz • Staples Center

More Newser Stories

News Corp Inches Closer to US Bribery Probe

Times of London Dragged Into UK's Hacking Scandal

36 Victims Settle in Murdoch Phone Hacking Scandal

Wendi Deng's Twitter Account Is—Gasp!—a Fake

Now on Twitter: Rupert Murdoch
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne