Chase Carey, chief executive of DirecTV, is negotiating a return from the satellite television group to News Corp’s top ranks, filling a vacuum created by the impending departure of Peter Chernin, Mr Murdoch’s well-regarded chief operating officer, News Corp sources said.

Mr Carey, whose contract with DirecTV expires at the end of 2010, was considered a key insider during his time at Mr Murdoch’s global media conglomerate.