Murdoch offspring face tough heir day

News Corp chief executive Rupert Murdoch says his financial assets will be divided equally among his six children after he dies.

But if he died tomorrow, his four elder children would have to decide who among themselves would take control of the family trust's 30 per cent cornerstone stake in the media conglomerate.

"If I go under a bus tomorrow, it will be the four of them [that] will have to decide which of the ones should lead them," Murdoch told US talk show host Charlie Rose.

Murdoch has had four children from two prior marriages - Prudence, James, Lachlan and Elisabeth - and two children in the past five years with his third wife, Wendi.

Rose asked Murdoch to clarify his position.

"If something happens to you," he asked, "[if you're] run over by a bus when you leave this studio, the four kids have to decide who will be the heir apparent?"

Murdoch responded: "In terms of power, yes. In terms of leadership, they'll all get treated equally financially."

News Corp owns media properties including 20th Century Fox film studios and MySpace.com.

Lachlan Murdoch, who served as News Corp's deputy chief operating officer and was considered Rupert's heir apparent, quit last year.

James Murdoch is chief executive of BSkyB, Britain's top pay-TV operator, which is 38 per cent owned by News Corp.

- REUTERS