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Featured This Week:

A Succession-inspired analysis of The Murdochs.

Plus, a guide on what to watch this weekend.

WATCH: Trailer for The Murdochs: Empire of Influence

Succession vs. The Murdochs: How the Roys compare to one of media's most infamous families

Fans of HBO's Succession may find a common thread in the new CNN Original Series, The Murdochs: Empire of Influence. The seven-part documentary series explores the improbable rise of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and the intense succession battle between his children over who will inherit his throne — leaving many to question whether the Murdoch family served as the inspiration behind the popular HBO show Succession. 

Succession showrunner Jesse Armstrong shared that the writers pulled from "famous media families like the Hearsts to modern-day Redstones." But of all the influences, the fictional Roys, led by patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox), seem to overlap most with the real-life Murdochs. 

Take a look at what the Roys and Murdochs have in common: (spoilers ahead)

A Patriarchal Family-Run Business 

The premise of Succession is practically ripped from the Murdoch playbook. The fictional Logan Roy, a ruthless dealmaker and a friend of presidents, certainly possesses a Murdoch-ian vibe.

Rupert Murdoch grew the small newspaper company that he inherited from his father in 1952 into one of the most powerful conservative media empires in history. He always intended to pass down his company to one of his children, but the 91-year-old has never named a successor.

An Influential Media Empire and Network

The Roys' Waystar Royco and the Murdochs' News Corp. have more than a few points of overlap. Waystar Royco's assets include conservative cable news network ATN, the show's version of Fox News. Throughout the series, Logan Roy speaks with the president and his advisers about the network's coverage of the White House and flexes their access.

Fox News is one of the crown jewels of Rupert Murdoch's empire. 

The network is a tool of influence for Rupert Murdoch, according to New York Times journalist Jonathan Mahler, who co-wrote "How Rupert Murdoch's Empire of Influence Remade the World".

Major Scandal

In Season 2 of Succession, news leaks that Waystar's cruise ship division buried internal reports of sexual harassment, assault and murder. The scandal forced Logan Roy and his son Kendall (Jeremy Strong) to testify before a US senate subcommittee — a strike in Kendall's pursuit of power.

The debacle shares similarities with the 2011 News Corp. hacking scandal. The company's British newspaper, News of the World, came under scrutiny when it was discovered reporters were hacking royals celebrities' and crime victims' phones to source their stories. Like a mirror image of the show, Rupert Murdoch and his son James testified before Parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee. In the fallout, James gave up his title as executive chairman of News Corp's UK publishing unit.

Read more about the similarities between Succession and the real-life Murdoch family here.

The Murdochs: Empire of Influence has a special two-episode premiere next Sunday, September 25, at 9 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET on CNN. Viewers can also watch the new series after it airs on CNNgo. 

📺 Viewer's Guide 101: What to watch this weekend

Are you anxiously waiting to dive into the latest new series or film this weekend? Look no further, your friends at Keep Watching are back with an all-new assortment of shows and special content to channel your interests. Take a look below: 

How It Really Happened: The Hollywood Ripper 🕵
A young woman was viciously murdered inside her Hollywood home just before she was scheduled to go on a date with actor Ashton Kutcher. As detectives search for answers, her friends relay stories about a strange air conditioning repairman who would show up uninvited at her home. They only know him as “Mike,” but as the investigation unfolds, police discover that this man may be linked to another murder almost eight years earlier in Illinois. The How It Really Happened episode airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on HLN.  

Runaway Mom: The Sherri Papini Story 🔍

The HLN Investigates special Runaway Mom: The Sherri Papini Story airs this Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HLN. Police are baffled by the disappearance of Papini, a married young mom of two who vanished while jogging. Weeks later she reappears, dazed, battered, and bruised. But investigators uncover a twisted hoax involving an ex-lover. Papini is set to face sentencing on Monday, September 19. Click here to watch the full trailer.

A Queen for the Ages: Elizabeth II 👑

This Sunday at 11 p.m. ET, CNN Special Report is airing a compelling look at the life and legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Famous for embodying the British slogan of "keep calm and carry on," Queen Elizabeth II was known for order and tradition. But behind the steely stoicism lies a complex leader who has overseen an unprecedented reign spanning seven decades. She symbolized stability and continuity, but also quietly revolutionized and reinvigorated the royal family in her quest to leave the monarchy stronger than she found it and ensure it continues for generations to come.

For more on the Queen, listen to the new podcast special on CNN Tonight. Her funeral will be broadcast live on CNN from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Monday, September 19.