Murdoch crowns his son BSkyB king

JAMES Murdoch is expected to be appointed tomorrow as chief executive of BSkyB, the satellite television company chaired by his father, Rupert.

It is understood that the company's nominations committee, which will submit two names to a special board meeting, will make it clear that James, 30, is their unanimous preferred candidate to replace outgoing chief executive Tony Ball.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is the biggest shareholder in BSkyB with a 35.4% stake and sources say the 71-year-old chairman will vote via a videolink in favour of his son.

The fast-track selection process will outrage institutional investors, who fear it will compromise BSkyB's independence.

They are also concerned that James Murdoch, whose wife Kathryn Hufschmid gave birth to their first child in May, lacks experience.