Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox has sold its minority stake in the broadcaster Star China TV to private equity after finally giving up on the emerging Chinese television market.

Having recently divorced his third wife Wendi Deng, for Mr Murdoch the disposal of Star China also marks a break-up with her country of birth.

His ambitions to expand his media empire there have been frustrated for two decades by restrictions on foreign investment and censorship.

China Media Capital, Star China’s majority shareholder since 2010, has agreed to buy Mr Murdoch’s remaining 47 per cent stake for an undisclosed sum, estimated to be roughly $US150m. The existing Chinese management team will remain in place, broadcasting three Mandarin channels and producing China’s Got Talent.

James Murdoch, who oversees 21st Century Fox’s international businesses, said the deal was part of an ongoing effort to simplify the entertainment group’s structure since it was split from News Corp’s publishing companies last year.