NEW
YORK, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox
Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX; "FOX" or the "Company") today
reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
The Company reported total quarterly revenues of $3.45 billion as compared to the
$4.08 billion reported in the
prior year quarter. Affiliate fee revenues increased 4%, driven by
9% growth at the Television segment and 1% growth at the Cable
Network Programming segment. Advertising revenues were $1.24 billion as compared to the $1.88 billion reported in the prior year quarter,
primarily due to the absence of the prior year broadcast of
Super Bowl LVII and fewer NFL games at FOX Sports. Other
revenues were $274 million as
compared to the $352 million reported
in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the timing of sports
sublicensing revenues at the national sports networks.
The Company reported quarterly net income of $704 million
as compared to a net loss of $50 million reported in the prior
year quarter. The increase primarily reflects the absence of
charges associated with legal settlement costs at FOX News Media
recognized in Restructuring, impairment and other corporate
matters, as well as a gain on USFL assets contributed to the United
Football League joint venture recognized in Non-operating other,
net in the current year quarter. Net income attributable to Fox
Corporation stockholders was $666
million ($1.40 per share) as
compared to a net loss of $54 million
($(0.10) per share) reported in the
prior year quarter. Adjusted net income attributable to Fox
Corporation stockholders1 was $520 million ($1.09
per share) as compared to the $494
million ($0.94 per share)
reported in the prior year quarter.
Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA2 was $891 million, an increase of $58 million or 7% from the amount reported in the
prior year quarter. Expenses decreased in the quarter, primarily
due to lower sports programming rights amortization and production
costs, led by the absence of the prior year broadcast
of Super Bowl LVII and fewer NFL games.
Commenting on the results, Executive Chair and Chief Executive
Officer Lachlan Murdoch said:
"FOX's fiscal third quarter results once again
demonstrate how our unique strategy continues to distinguish FOX
from our peers. The strength and leadership of our core brands,
coupled with our focus on live content and must-have event
programming, is clearly valued by our audiences, advertisers and
distribution partners. The consistent financial delivery from this
strategy supports our investments in innovation which are driving
momentum in our digital portfolio, led by Tubi. Our balanced
capital allocation approach, fortified by our strong balance sheet,
underpins our ability to drive long-term value creation for our
shareholders."
REVIEW OF OPERATING
RESULTS
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
Nine Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Revenues by
Component:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate
fee
|
$ 1,938
|
|
$ 1,857
|
|
$ 5,465
|
|
$ 5,280
|
Advertising
|
1,235
|
|
1,875
|
|
4,437
|
|
5,598
|
Other
|
274
|
|
352
|
|
986
|
|
1,003
|
Total
revenues
|
$ 3,447
|
|
$ 4,084
|
|
$
10,888
|
|
$
11,881
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable Network
Programming
|
$ 1,472
|
|
$ 1,570
|
|
$ 4,517
|
|
$ 4,633
|
Television
|
1,938
|
|
2,475
|
|
6,260
|
|
7,123
|
Other, Corporate and
Eliminations
|
37
|
|
39
|
|
111
|
|
125
|
Total
revenues
|
$ 3,447
|
|
$ 4,084
|
|
$
10,888
|
|
$
11,881
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable Network
Programming
|
$
819
|
|
$
792
|
|
$ 1,990
|
|
$ 1,887
|
Television
|
145
|
|
117
|
|
358
|
|
782
|
Other, Corporate and
Eliminations
|
(73)
|
|
(76)
|
|
(238)
|
|
(213)
|
Adjusted
EBITDA3
|
$
891
|
|
$
833
|
|
$ 2,110
|
|
$ 2,456
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable Network
Programming
|
$
20
|
|
$
18
|
|
$
57
|
|
$
52
|
Television
|
29
|
|
38
|
|
86
|
|
97
|
Other, Corporate and
Eliminations
|
49
|
|
50
|
|
148
|
|
159
|
Total depreciation
and amortization
|
$
98
|
|
$
106
|
|
$
291
|
|
$
308
|
CABLE NETWORK
PROGRAMMING
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
Nine Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate
fee
|
$ 1,104
|
|
$ 1,093
|
|
$ 3,140
|
|
$ 3,148
|
Advertising
|
296
|
|
316
|
|
934
|
|
1,083
|
Other
|
72
|
|
161
|
|
443
|
|
402
|
Total
revenues
|
1,472
|
|
1,570
|
|
4,517
|
|
4,633
|
Operating
expenses
|
(499)
|
|
(610)
|
|
(2,090)
|
|
(2,271)
|
Selling, general and
administrative
|
(158)
|
|
(172)
|
|
(449)
|
|
(487)
|
Amortization of cable
distribution investments
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
12
|
|
12
|
Segment
EBITDA
|
$
819
|
|
$
792
|
|
$ 1,990
|
|
$ 1,887
|
Cable Network Programming reported quarterly segment revenues of
$1.47 billion as compared to the
$1.57 billion reported in the prior
year quarter. Affiliate fee revenues increased $11 million or 1% as contractual price increases
were partially offset by the impact of net subscriber declines.
Advertising revenues were $296
million as compared to the $316
million reported in the prior year quarter. This is
primarily due to lower digital advertising revenues and moderating
direct response pricing declines at FOX News Media, as well as the
absence of the prior year broadcast of the World Baseball
Classic at the national sports networks. Other revenues were
$72 million as compared to the
$161 million reported in the prior
year quarter, primarily due to the timing of sports sublicensing
revenues at the national sports networks.
Cable Network Programming reported quarterly segment EBITDA of
$819 million, an increase of
$27 million or 3% from the amount reported in the prior year
quarter. Expenses decreased in the quarter, primarily due to the
timing of sports programming rights amortization at the national
sports networks, lower costs at FOX News Media led by lower legal
costs and the deconsolidation of the USFL.
TELEVISION
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
Nine Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertising
|
$
939
|
|
$ 1,559
|
|
$ 3,503
|
|
$ 4,516
|
Affiliate
fee
|
834
|
|
764
|
|
2,325
|
|
2,132
|
Other
|
165
|
|
152
|
|
432
|
|
475
|
Total
revenues
|
1,938
|
|
2,475
|
|
6,260
|
|
7,123
|
Operating
expenses
|
(1,540)
|
|
(2,106)
|
|
(5,178)
|
|
(5,592)
|
Selling, general and
administrative
|
(253)
|
|
(252)
|
|
(724)
|
|
(749)
|
Segment
EBITDA
|
$
145
|
|
$
117
|
|
$
358
|
|
$
782
|
Television reported quarterly segment revenues of $1.94 billion as compared to the $2.48 billion reported in the prior year quarter.
Advertising revenues were $939
million as compared to the $1.56
billion reported in the prior year quarter, primarily due to
the absence of the prior year broadcast of Super Bowl LVII
and fewer NFL games, partially offset by continued growth at Tubi.
Affiliate fee revenues increased $70
million or 9%, led by higher rates at both the Company's
owned and operated stations and third-party FOX affiliates. Other
revenues increased $13 million or 9%,
primarily due to the timing of deliveries from FOX Entertainment
Studios.
Television reported quarterly segment EBITDA of $145 million, an increase of $28 million or 24%. Expenses decreased in the
quarter, primarily due to lower sports and entertainment
programming rights amortization and production costs, led by the
absence of the prior year broadcast of Super Bowl LVII,
fewer NFL games and fewer hours of original scripted programming
due to the impact of the industry guild labor disputes in 2023.
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
As of March 31, 2024, the Company
has repurchased approximately $4.35
billion of its Class A common stock and approximately
$1 billion of its Class B common
stock, with a remaining authorization of up to $1.65 billion. During the quarter, the Company
repurchased approximately $250
million of its Class A common stock.
DEBT MATURITY
In January 2024, $1.25 billion of 4.030% senior notes matured and
were repaid in full.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely,"
"anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects,"
"believes," "estimates," "outlook" and similar expressions are used
to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are
subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results
may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the
statements in this press release due to changes in economic,
business, competitive, technological, strategic and/or regulatory
factors and other factors affecting the operation of the Company's
businesses. More detailed information about these factors is
contained in the documents the Company has filed with or furnished
to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q.
Statements in this press release speak only as of the date they
were made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update or release
any revisions to any forward-looking statement made in this press
release or to report any events or circumstances after the date of
this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events or to conform such statements to actual results or changes
in the Company's expectations, except as required by law.
To access a copy of this press release through the Internet,
access Fox Corporation's corporate website located at
http://www.foxcorporation.com.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
|
|
Nine Months
Ended
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$ Millions, except
per share amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
$ 3,447
|
|
$ 4,084
|
|
$
10,888
|
|
$
11,881
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
(2,050)
|
|
(2,727)
|
|
(7,305)
|
|
(7,911)
|
Selling, general and
administrative
|
(510)
|
|
(528)
|
|
(1,485)
|
|
(1,526)
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
(98)
|
|
(106)
|
|
(291)
|
|
(308)
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters
|
(15)
|
|
(893)
|
|
(24)
|
|
(1,015)
|
Interest expense,
net
|
(55)
|
|
(55)
|
|
(169)
|
|
(183)
|
Non-operating other,
net4
|
242
|
|
174
|
|
39
|
|
293
|
Income (loss) before
income tax (expense) benefit
|
961
|
|
(51)
|
|
1,653
|
|
1,231
|
Income tax (expense)
benefit
|
(257)
|
|
1
|
|
(419)
|
|
(347)
|
Net income
(loss)
|
704
|
|
(50)
|
|
1,234
|
|
884
|
Less: Net income
attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
(38)
|
|
(4)
|
|
(52)
|
|
(20)
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders
|
$
666
|
|
$
(54)
|
|
$ 1,182
|
|
$
864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average
shares:
|
475
|
|
521
|
|
484
|
|
539
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders per share:
|
$ 1.40
|
|
$ (0.10)
|
|
$ 2.44
|
|
$ 1.60
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
|
|
|
March 31,
2024
|
|
June 30,
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$
3,791
|
|
$
4,272
|
Receivables,
net
|
2,481
|
|
2,177
|
Inventories,
net
|
660
|
|
543
|
Other
|
246
|
|
265
|
Total current
assets
|
7,178
|
|
7,257
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
assets:
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment, net
|
1,672
|
|
1,708
|
Intangible assets,
net
|
3,048
|
|
3,084
|
Goodwill
|
3,544
|
|
3,559
|
Deferred tax
assets
|
2,941
|
|
3,090
|
Other non-current
assets
|
3,334
|
|
3,168
|
Total
assets
|
$
21,717
|
|
$
21,866
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and
Equity:
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
$
—
|
|
$
1,249
|
Accounts payable,
accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
2,217
|
|
2,514
|
Total current
liabilities
|
2,217
|
|
3,763
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
7,196
|
|
5,961
|
Other
liabilities
|
1,379
|
|
1,484
|
Redeemable
noncontrolling interests
|
260
|
|
213
|
Commitments and
contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock,
$0.01 par value
|
3
|
|
3
|
Class B common stock,
$0.01 par value
|
2
|
|
2
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
7,768
|
|
8,253
|
Retained
earnings
|
2,926
|
|
2,269
|
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
|
(145)
|
|
(149)
|
Total Fox Corporation
stockholders' equity
|
10,554
|
|
10,378
|
Noncontrolling
interests
|
111
|
|
67
|
Total
equity
|
10,665
|
|
10,445
|
Total liabilities
and equity
|
$
21,717
|
|
$
21,866
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
Nine Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Operating
Activities:
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$
1,234
|
|
$
884
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
activities
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
291
|
|
308
|
Amortization of cable
distribution investments
|
12
|
|
12
|
Equity-based
compensation
|
69
|
|
55
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters
|
24
|
|
1,015
|
Non-operating other,
net
|
(39)
|
|
(293)
|
Deferred income
taxes
|
152
|
|
234
|
Change in operating
assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and
dispositions
|
|
|
|
Receivables and other
assets
|
(317)
|
|
(692)
|
Inventories net of
programming payable
|
(220)
|
|
222
|
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses
|
(178)
|
|
(200)
|
Other changes,
net
|
(87)
|
|
(238)
|
Net cash provided by
operating activities
|
941
|
|
1,307
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
Activities:
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
(233)
|
|
(237)
|
Purchase of
investments
|
(99)
|
|
(55)
|
Other investing
activities, net
|
8
|
|
(26)
|
Net cash used in
investing activities
|
(324)
|
|
(318)
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
Activities:
|
|
|
|
Repayment of
borrowings
|
(1,250)
|
|
—
|
Borrowings
|
1,232
|
|
—
|
Repurchase of
shares
|
(750)
|
|
(1,750)
|
Dividends paid and
distributions
|
(272)
|
|
(291)
|
Sale of subsidiary
noncontrolling interest
|
—
|
|
25
|
Other financing
activities, net
|
(58)
|
|
(27)
|
Net cash used in
financing activities
|
(1,098)
|
|
(2,043)
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash
and cash equivalents
|
(481)
|
|
(1,054)
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, beginning of year
|
4,272
|
|
5,200
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, end of period
|
$
3,791
|
|
$
4,146
|
NOTE 1 – ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED EPS
The Company uses net income attributable to Fox Corporation
stockholders and earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Fox
Corporation stockholders excluding net income effects of
Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters, adjustments
to Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates, Non-operating other,
net, Tax provisions and Noncontrolling interest adjustments
("Adjusted Net Income" and "Adjusted EPS" respectively) to evaluate
the performance of the Company's operations exclusive of certain
items that impact the comparability of results from period to
period.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS may not be comparable to
similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted Net
Income and Adjusted EPS are not measures of performance under GAAP
and should be considered in addition to, and not as substitutes
for, net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders and
EPS as reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management uses
these measures in comparing the Company's historical performance
and believes that they provide meaningful and comparable
information to management, investors and equity analysts to assist
in their analysis of the Company's performance relative to prior
periods and the Company's competitors.
The following table reconciles net income attributable to Fox
Corporation stockholders and EPS attributable to Fox Corporation
stockholders to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS for the three
months ended March 31, 2024 and
2023:
|
Three Months
Ended
|
|
March 31,
2024
|
|
March 31,
2023
|
|
Income
|
|
EPS
|
|
Income
|
|
EPS
|
|
$ Millions, except
per share data
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders
|
$
666
|
|
$
1.40
|
|
$
(54)
|
|
$ (0.10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters5
|
15
|
|
0.03
|
|
893
|
|
1.70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-operating other,
net56
|
(244)
|
|
(0.51)
|
|
(173)
|
|
(0.33)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
provision5
|
52
|
|
0.11
|
|
(172)
|
|
(0.33)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling interest
adjustment
|
31
|
|
0.07
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rounding
|
—
|
|
(0.01)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
adjusted5
|
$
520
|
|
$
1.09
|
|
$
494
|
|
$
0.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 2 – ADJUSTED EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Revenues less Operating expenses
and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA
does not include: Amortization of cable distribution investments,
Depreciation and amortization, Restructuring, impairment and other
corporate matters, Interest expense, net, Non-operating other, net
and Income tax expense.
Management believes that information about Adjusted EBITDA
assists all users of the Company's Unaudited Consolidated Financial
Statements by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating
results of the Company's portfolio of businesses separate from
non-operational factors that affect Net income, thus providing
insight into both operations and the other factors that affect
reported results. Adjusted EBITDA provides management, investors
and equity analysts a measure to analyze the operating performance
of the Company's business and its enterprise value against
historical data and competitors' data, although historical results,
including Adjusted EBITDA, may not be indicative of future results
(as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors,
including customer tastes and preferences).
Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and
should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net
income, cash flow and other measures of financial performance
reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this measure does
not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items,
such as depreciation and amortization and impairment charges, which
are significant components in assessing the Company's financial
performance. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly
titled measures reported by other companies.
The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted EBITDA for
the three and nine months ended March 31,
2024 and 2023:
|
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
Nine Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Net income
(loss)
|
$
704
|
|
$
(50)
|
|
$ 1,234
|
|
$
884
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of cable
distribution investments
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
12
|
|
12
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
98
|
|
106
|
|
291
|
|
308
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters
|
15
|
|
893
|
|
24
|
|
1,015
|
Interest expense,
net
|
55
|
|
55
|
|
169
|
|
183
|
Non-operating other,
net7
|
(242)
|
|
(174)
|
|
(39)
|
|
(293)
|
Income tax expense
(benefit)
|
257
|
|
(1)
|
|
419
|
|
347
|
Adjusted
EBITDA
|
$
891
|
|
$
833
|
|
$ 2,110
|
|
$ 2,456
|
|
|
|
1
Excludes net income effects of Restructuring, impairment and other
corporate matters, adjustments to Equity (losses) earnings of
affiliates, Non-operating other, net, Tax provision and
Noncontrolling interest adjustments. See Note 1 for a description
of adjusted net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders
and adjusted earnings per share attributable to Fox Corporation
stockholders, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures, and
a reconciliation of reported net income attributable to Fox
Corporation stockholders and earnings per share attributable to Fox
Corporation stockholders to adjusted net income attributable to Fox
Corporation stockholders and adjusted earnings per share
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders.
|
2
Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See
Note 2 for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of
net income to Adjusted EBITDA.
|
3
Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See
Note 2 for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of
net income to Adjusted EBITDA.
|
4
Non-operating other, net presented above includes Equity earnings
(losses) of affiliates.
|
5 The
calculation of Adjusted EPS for the three months ended March 31,
2023 reflects weighted average diluted shares of 524 million, which
includes common stock equivalents that were excluded from net loss
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders as their inclusion
would have been antidilutive.
|
6
Non-operating other, net presented above excludes Equity earnings
(losses) of affiliates.
|
7
Non-operating other, net presented above includes Equity earnings
(losses) of affiliates.
|
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SOURCE Fox Corporation