More official powers for News Corp (NYSE: NWS) scion James Murdoch… after gaining hold of operations in Europe and Asia last December, he has been named the president of Sky Italia, replacing his father Rupert who previously held that title. Sky Italia has seen strong growth since its inception five years ago, notes Variety, boasting $97 million in op income in the recent quarter. The Pay TV network is a key piece of the company’s strategy in this area. It has also been steadily upping its stake in German operator Premier.