The announcement sees Hartigan promoted from his current role of chief executive of News Limited. He will take over from Lachlan Murdoch, who resigned last month, as of September 1.
Lachlan is understood to have clashed with his father over the running of Fox Television, where he was succeeded earlier this week by Roger Ailes.
When Lachlan announced his departure, it was reported he was unhappy that his control of the Fox TV station group was being undermined.
Rupert Murdoch, News Corp chairman and chief executive, said: "I am delighted John has accepted this role. Under his day-to-day leadership over the past five years, News Limited has been one of News Corp's most profitable divisions.
"This year, John and his team are implementing a major capital expenditure programme to expand our business in Australia and a raft of new products will be launched this year in addition to those already released."
The announcement followed the news that Lachlan has set up a new company in Australia. He is named as the sole director and secretary on the registration forms for the company called Illyria, the name used for the setting of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
As yet there is no indication as to what the company will do.
Speculation about Lachlan's departure has continued to circulate after he left to return home to Australia with his model wife Sarah.
His grandmother, Rupert Murdoch's mother, Dame Elisabeth, speaking to Australian magazine Bulletin said that he did not seem "100% happy" in his role as News Corp.
"But I didn't think it would come to this," she added.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the
.jpg)
.jpg)