The drama surrounding Rupert Murdoch's succession is taking place behind closed doors

Whatever happens, investors and analysts will be watching developments closely. Last week The New York Times reported that Starboard Value, an activist hedge fund, was pushing to end the Murdochs' control of the companies.

Disputes over trusts are nothing new for the Murdochs, says Walter Marsh, author of Young Ruperta biography of Rupert's early life. Lawsuits are also nothing. As Marsh says, for as long as Rupert has been in business, third parties have been worried about what might happen if he dies.

“From the 1960 trial of News Limited for seditious libel in Adelaide, South Australia, to this latest legal drama, every few years the Murdoch family is dragged through court cases that shed light on the inner workings of the family and the company,” he says. “And the question of succession was a recurring theme even before most of Rupert's children were born; in May 1958, when 27-year-old Rupert was lobbying for his first commercial television licence, rival lawyers tried to sow doubts about the future of the family holdings 'in the event of his death'. ('Half a dozen children might be around by then,' Murdoch's lawyer replied, a far-fetched hypothesis at the time).

“These episodes are also some of the rare occasions when Rupert himself can be forced to explain his actions in his own words, which, as we have seen from the Leveson Inquiry to the Dominion Trial, can provide sudden revelations – or master classes in obfuscation.”

Whatever the strategy this time, the details could remain hidden from the public. Despite appeals to make the hearing public, at the time of writing the case is top secret, or “super sealed,” with the parties identified only as “Does” (John and Jane Doe). ONJ, a nonprofit organization that documents court proceedings, argued that the case is of special public interest and should be made public.

“The trust matter in question directly concerns Rupert Murdoch, who is indisputably a prominent public figure, and concerns the future management and control of News Corp, a major global media conglomerate,” they wrote in a brief. “These circumstances elevate the case to one of significant public interest and importance.”

Rupert Murdoch has been asked for comment. Many neutrals hope that the court will comply with the request to film the hearing. If Consequence has proven nothing, but that the inner workings of the Murdoch empire make for stunning television.