James Murdoch is to return to Sky as chairman four years after he stepped down from the role.
He will replace Nicholas Ferguson, who replaced Murdoch in 2012 and has sat on the board of the pay-TV operator for 12 years.
Murdoch stepped down as a result of the phone hacking scandal which engulfed News International.
Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch said that “without a doubt” Murdoch was the right man for the job.
“The board was unanimous in support of James. At the time he stepped aside he felt was putting interests of the company ahead of his own,” he said. “His knowledge of the international media industry will be a big asset.”
“I am proud to have been asked by the board to serve as chairman of Sky, one of the world’s leading pay TV companies,” Murdoch added. “As chairman, I look forward to working with the board and management as they continue to deliver a great service for Sky’s customers and create value for all shareholders over the years to come.”
The move will reignite speculation that Fox, which owns a 39.1% interest in Sky, will again attempt to take over the company.
However, Darroch said that his job was to keep building a “bigger and better” business. “I think that from time to time there is speculation about what Fox’s intentions are. As management we don’t get distracted by that.”
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