NEW YORK — The board of directors at Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. has approved a plan that calls for splitting the global media conglomerate into two separate companies, one holding its newspaper business and another its entertainment operations, The Wall Street Journal reported late Wednesday.

The Journal, News Corp.’s flagship newspaper, cited a person familiar with the situation saying the board voted unanimously to approve the plan. It said the move is expected to be announced early Thursday.

News Corp. spokeswoman Julie Henderson had no comment on the report.

The New York company confirmed Tuesday that it was weighing the plan.