NEW
YORK, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox
Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX; "FOX" or the "Company") today
reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
The Company reported total quarterly revenues of $3.56 billion, an increase of $357 million or 11% from the
amount reported in the prior year quarter. Affiliate fee
revenues increased 6%, driven by 10% growth at the Television
segment and 3% growth at the Cable Network Programming segment.
Advertising revenues increased 11%, primarily due to higher
political advertising revenues at the FOX Television Stations,
continued growth at Tubi, higher ratings and higher pricing in the
direct response marketplace at FOX News Media, and the impact of
the "Summer of Soccer" at FOX Sports, including the broadcasts of
the UEFA European Championship and CONMEBOL Copa
América. These were partially offset by the absence of the
prior year broadcast of the FIFA Women's World Cup. Other
revenues increased 47%, primarily due to higher sports sublicensing
revenues at the national sports networks.
The Company reported quarterly net income of $832 million as compared to the $415 million reported in the prior year quarter.
The increase includes the change in fair value of the Company's
investments recognized in Non-operating other, net. Net income
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders was $827 million ($1.78
per share) as compared to the $407
million ($0.82 per share)
reported in the prior year quarter. Adjusted net income
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders1 was
$672 million ($1.45 per share) as compared to the $537 million ($1.09
per share) reported in the prior year quarter.
Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA2 was $1.05 billion, an increase of $179 million or 21% from the amount reported in
the prior year quarter, primarily due to the revenue increase noted
above, partially offset by higher expenses. The increase in
expenses was primarily driven by higher programming rights
amortization at FOX Sports and higher costs at Tubi.
Commenting on the results, Executive Chair and Chief Executive
Officer Lachlan Murdoch said:
"Fiscal 2025 is off to a solid start across our
portfolio with strong audience growth at FOX News, record political
advertising across the company, accelerating revenue growth at Tubi
and a compelling start to our fall sports calendar. Collectively
these contributions have combined to deliver particularly strong
financial results in our fiscal first quarter led by notable top
line revenue and earnings growth. Our strategy and our focus are
delivering for our audiences, advertising and distribution
partners, and the FOX shareholders."
REVIEW OF OPERATING
RESULTS
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Revenues by
Component:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate
fee
|
$ 1,843
|
|
$ 1,740
|
Advertising
|
1,329
|
|
1,200
|
Other
|
392
|
|
267
|
Total
revenues
|
$ 3,564
|
|
$ 3,207
|
|
|
|
|
Segment
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable Network
Programming
|
$ 1,597
|
|
$ 1,387
|
Television
|
1,953
|
|
1,780
|
Corporate and
Other
|
65
|
|
54
|
Eliminations
|
(51)
|
|
(14)
|
Total
revenues
|
$ 3,564
|
|
$ 3,207
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable Network
Programming
|
$
748
|
|
$
607
|
Television
|
372
|
|
351
|
Corporate and
Other
|
(72)
|
|
(89)
|
Adjusted
EBITDA3
|
$ 1,048
|
|
$
869
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable Network
Programming
|
$
20
|
|
$
18
|
Television
|
29
|
|
29
|
Corporate and
Other
|
42
|
|
49
|
Total depreciation
and amortization
|
$
91
|
|
$
96
|
CABLE NETWORK
PROGRAMMING
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
Affiliate
fee
|
$ 1,037
|
|
$ 1,005
|
Advertising
|
321
|
|
290
|
Other
|
239
|
|
92
|
Total
revenues
|
1,597
|
|
1,387
|
Operating
expenses
|
(702)
|
|
(649)
|
Selling, general and
administrative
|
(151)
|
|
(135)
|
Amortization of cable
distribution investments
|
4
|
|
4
|
Segment
EBITDA
|
$
748
|
|
$
607
|
Cable Network Programming reported quarterly segment revenues of
$1.60 billion, an increase of
$210 million or 15% from the amount
reported in the prior year quarter. Affiliate fee revenues
increased $32 million or 3% as
contractual price increases were partially offset by the impact of
net subscriber declines. Advertising revenues increased
$31 million or 11%, primarily due to
higher ratings, higher pricing in the direct response marketplace
and higher digital advertising revenues, partially offset by the
effect of higher preemptions associated with breaking news coverage
at FOX News Media. Other revenues increased $147 million, primarily due to higher sports
sublicensing revenues at the national sports networks.
Cable Network Programming reported quarterly segment EBITDA of
$748 million, an increase of
$141 million or 23% from the amount reported in the prior year
quarter, primarily due to the revenue increase noted above,
partially offset by higher expenses. The increase in expenses was
driven by higher programming rights amortization at the national
sports networks and higher newsgathering costs, including costs
relating to presidential election cycle coverage, at FOX News
Media.
TELEVISION
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
Advertising
|
$ 1,008
|
|
$
910
|
Affiliate
fee
|
806
|
|
735
|
Other
|
139
|
|
135
|
Total
revenues
|
1,953
|
|
1,780
|
Operating
expenses
|
(1,333)
|
|
(1,198)
|
Selling, general and
administrative
|
(248)
|
|
(231)
|
Segment
EBITDA
|
$
372
|
|
$
351
|
Television reported quarterly segment revenues of $1.95 billion, an increase of $173 million or 10% from the amount reported in
the prior year quarter. Advertising revenues increased $98 million or 11%, primarily due to higher
political advertising revenues at the FOX Television Stations,
continued growth at Tubi, an additional NFL broadcast window,
higher NFL ratings and the broadcasts of the UEFA European
Championship and CONMEBOL Copa América at FOX Sports.
These were partially offset by the absence of the prior year
broadcast of the FIFA Women's World Cup. Affiliate fee
revenues increased $71 million or
10%, driven by higher average rates at the Company's owned and
operated television stations and increases in fees from third-party
FOX affiliates. Other revenues increased $4
million or 3%, primarily due to higher third-party content
revenues at FOX Entertainment studios.
Television reported quarterly segment EBITDA of $372 million, an increase of $21 million or 6%, primarily due to the revenue
increase noted above, partially offset by higher expenses. The
increase in expenses was driven by higher sports programming rights
amortization, including an additional NFL broadcast window, and
higher costs at Tubi.
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
As of September 30, 2024, the
Company has repurchased approximately $4.85
billion of its Class A common stock and approximately
$1 billion of its Class B common
stock, with a remaining authorization of $1.15 billion. During the quarter, the Company
repurchased approximately $250
million of its Class A common stock.
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
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$ Millions, except
per share amounts
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
$ 3,564
|
|
$ 3,207
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
(2,018)
|
|
(1,862)
|
Selling, general and
administrative
|
(502)
|
|
(480)
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
(91)
|
|
(96)
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters
|
(26)
|
|
9
|
Equity earnings of
affiliates
|
3
|
|
1
|
Interest expense,
net
|
(50)
|
|
(42)
|
Non-operating other,
net
|
233
|
|
(176)
|
Income before income
tax expense
|
1,113
|
|
561
|
Income tax
expense
|
(281)
|
|
(146)
|
Net
income
|
832
|
|
415
|
Less: Net income
attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
(5)
|
|
(8)
|
Net income
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders
|
$
827
|
|
$
407
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average
shares:
|
464
|
|
494
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable
to Fox Corporation stockholders per share:
|
$ 1.78
|
|
$ 0.82
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
|
|
|
September 30,
2024
|
|
June 30,
2024
|
|
$
Millions
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$
4,052
|
|
$
4,319
|
Receivables,
net
|
2,687
|
|
2,364
|
Inventories,
net
|
795
|
|
626
|
Other
|
259
|
|
192
|
Total current
assets
|
7,793
|
|
7,501
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
assets:
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment, net
|
1,685
|
|
1,696
|
Intangible assets,
net
|
3,030
|
|
3,038
|
Goodwill
|
3,547
|
|
3,544
|
Deferred tax
assets
|
2,772
|
|
2,878
|
Other non-current
assets
|
3,711
|
|
3,315
|
Total
assets
|
$
22,538
|
|
$
21,972
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and
Equity:
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
$
600
|
|
$
599
|
Accounts payable,
accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
2,405
|
|
2,353
|
Total current
liabilities
|
3,005
|
|
2,952
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
6,599
|
|
6,598
|
Other
liabilities
|
1,356
|
|
1,366
|
Redeemable
noncontrolling interests
|
202
|
|
242
|
Commitments and
contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock,
$0.01 par value
|
2
|
|
2
|
Class B common stock,
$0.01 par value
|
2
|
|
2
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
7,641
|
|
7,678
|
Retained
earnings
|
3,734
|
|
3,139
|
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
|
(103)
|
|
(107)
|
Total Fox Corporation
stockholders' equity
|
11,276
|
|
10,714
|
Noncontrolling
interests
|
100
|
|
100
|
Total
equity
|
11,376
|
|
10,814
|
Total liabilities
and equity
|
$
22,538
|
|
$
21,972
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Operating
Activities:
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$
832
|
|
$
415
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
activities
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
91
|
|
96
|
Amortization of cable
distribution investments
|
4
|
|
4
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters
|
26
|
|
(9)
|
Equity-based
compensation
|
34
|
|
24
|
Equity earnings of
affiliates
|
(3)
|
|
(1)
|
Non-operating other,
net
|
(233)
|
|
176
|
Deferred income
taxes
|
103
|
|
47
|
Change in operating
assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and
dispositions
|
|
|
|
Receivables and other
assets
|
(397)
|
|
(284)
|
Inventories net of
programming payable
|
(303)
|
|
(253)
|
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses
|
(110)
|
|
(187)
|
Other changes,
net
|
114
|
|
(27)
|
Net cash provided by
operating activities
|
158
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
Activities:
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
(64)
|
|
(71)
|
Other investing
activities, net
|
(14)
|
|
13
|
Net cash used in
investing activities
|
(78)
|
|
(58)
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
Activities:
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of
shares
|
(250)
|
|
(250)
|
Dividends paid and
distributions
|
(131)
|
|
(135)
|
Other financing
activities, net
|
34
|
|
(1)
|
Net cash used in
financing activities
|
(347)
|
|
(386)
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash
and cash equivalents
|
(267)
|
|
(443)
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, beginning of year
|
4,319
|
|
4,272
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, end of period
|
$
4,052
|
|
$
3,829
|
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 earnings (losses) of affiliates, Non-operating other,
net, Tax provision and Noncontrolling interest ("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 September 30, 2024 and
2023:
|
Three Months
Ended
|
|
September 30,
2024
|
|
September 30,
2023
|
|
Income
|
|
EPS
|
|
Income
|
|
EPS
|
|
$ Millions, except
per share data
|
Net income
attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders
|
$
827
|
|
$
1.78
|
|
$
407
|
|
$
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters
|
26
|
|
0.06
|
|
(9)
|
|
(0.02)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-operating other,
net
|
(233)
|
|
(0.50)
|
|
176
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
provision
|
52
|
|
0.11
|
|
(37)
|
|
(0.07)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
adjusted
|
$
672
|
|
$
1.45
|
|
$
537
|
|
$
1.09
|
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, Equity earnings (losses) of affiliates, 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 months ended September 30,
2024 and 2023:
|
Three Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
$
Millions
|
Net
income
|
$
832
|
|
$
415
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
Amortization of cable
distribution investments
|
4
|
|
4
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
91
|
|
96
|
Restructuring,
impairment and other corporate matters
|
26
|
|
(9)
|
Equity earnings of
affiliates
|
(3)
|
|
(1)
|
Interest expense,
net
|
50
|
|
42
|
Non-operating other,
net
|
(233)
|
|
176
|
Income tax
expense
|
281
|
|
146
|
Adjusted
EBITDA
|
$ 1,048
|
|
$
869
|
1
|
Excludes net income
effects of Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters,
adjustments to Equity earnings (losses) 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.
|
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