Vox Podcast Network Enters New Chapter.

Lupa Systems, James Murdoch’s media and technology holding company, has officially completed its acquisition of the Vox Media Podcast Network and New York Magazine. The deal was announced in May with a reported $300 million price tag. The podcast network and magazine will now operate as a new subsidiary of Lupa Systems under the Vox Media name. Jim Bankoff, who co-founded Vox Media and has led its growth from its early days as a network of grassroots sports blogs, will serve as CEO of the new company.

Murdoch calls it the “beginning of a new chapter” for the Vox Media Podcast Network and New York Magazine, saying both are “exceptional” brands.

“Vox Media joins our existing holdings and investments in news and culture,” Murdoch says. “We look forward to providing the magazine, podcast network, and Vox with the resources and partnership they need to do their best work yet.”

Podcasting has been the fastest-growing business within Vox Media. The podcast network is home to nearly 50 podcasts such as “Pivot,” “Today, Explained,” “Waveform: the MKBHD Podcast,” “Decoder,” “Solutions” and “Channels,” among others. The podcast network has also amassed a growing presence in live events, with nearly 50 live shows from across its portfolio in 2025 and more expected in 2026.

New York magazine has also been a standout even as the print industry has suffered a collapse of readership in recent years. It includes several content verticals, including The Cut, Vulture, Intelligencer, The Strategist, Curbed, and Grub Street.

As a result, it had attracted several potential bidders as Vox considered its options. But Murdoch’s offer reportedly gained traction with the promise of more upfront cash than what was proposed by other suitors.

James Murdoch is the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. He’s reportedly flush with investment money after a family succession plan resulted in a $3.3 billion settlement — one that saw him relinquish a stake in a family trust to his father and brother, Lachlan. He also benefited from the sale of 21st Century Fox assets to Disney in 2019.

"Authoritative work from trusted brands and talent is more necessary than ever," Bankoff says in a statement. "James and Kathryn Murdoch understand that, have a demonstrated commitment to high-quality, independent journalism, and are deeply invested in the long-term success of this new company. This is an empowering moment to further focus our efforts and unlock new opportunities for growth."

The Vox Media Podcast Network will remain under the leadership of General Manager Ray Chao and Executive Producer Nishat Kurwa. It has already made moves to expand its roster as it has signed Ina Garten, better known to legions of fans as the Barefoot Contessa, for a podcast slated to debut in September.

Lupa Systems currently holds a majority stake in Tribeca Enterprises, the parent company of the Tribeca Festival. It also holds an investment in MCH Group’s Art Basel, which holds annual events in Paris, Basel, Miami, Hong Kong, and Doha. Through Bodhi Tree Systems, Lupa also holds a material stake in India’s leading streaming entertainment and sports platform, JioStar, with viewership of over 750 million.

Following the sale of the podcast network and New York Magazine, the remainder of Vox Media’s assets have been acquired by Penske Media. The publishing house picks up several brands, including Eater, The Verge, SB Nation, Popsugar, The Dodo, Punch, and Thrillist, along with Concert, Vox Media’s premium ad marketplace, and Forte, Vox Media’s first-party data platform. Financial terms were not released.

Current Vox President Ryan Pauley will join the company as President of PMX, overseeing the newly combined portfolio of brands. Penske Media had already been Vox Media’s largest shareholder prior to Murdoch deal.