James Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch's not-un-hot, not uncool son, is stepping down from his job at British Sky Broadcasting "to take on a broader role within his father’s media empire," the Times reports today. The paper daintily suggests that the move indicates Rupert "who is 76" (quoth the Times) has a "plan of succession," meaning that it's looking like Harvard dropout James is the one who's going to take over the role of chairman when dad kicks it. (Alas, poor Lachlan!) This Murdoch the Younger, "who is five years younger than his father's hot young wife Wendi" (quoth us), will not be coming to New York, however. He'll remain in Europe, where he'll take on the titles of chairman and chief executive for Europe and Asia for News Corporation.

Elevation of Murdoch Son Suggests Plan of Succession [NYT]

Related: The Boy Who Wouldn't Be King