New York - Dow Jones & Company (NYSE: DJ), publisher of The Wall Street Journal, announced on Thursday that its shareholders have approved a $5.6 billion sale of the company to News Corporation (NYSE: NWS), with 60.27% of shares voting in favor of the deal. The Journal reported that about 78% of outstanding common shares voted in favor of the deal, compared with 54% of supervoting shares -- most of which is held by the Bancroft family, which has long controlled Dow Jones.

The deal is expected to close later today.

News Corp. previously announced that Leslie Hinton will replace the outgoing Richard F. Zannino as CEO of Dow Jones, while former Times of London editor Robert Thomson will become publisher.

The Journal reported that News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch attended an annual holiday lunch for Dow Jones executives and support staff yesterday, adding, "Like most of the executives, Mr. Murdoch wore a Santa cap."

Related Links:
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/071213/20071213005829.html?.v=1

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119755500310926517.html