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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| | | | | |
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023 |
or
| | | | | |
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission File Number 001-38776
FOX CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | |
Delaware | | 83-1825597 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1211 Avenue of the Americas |
New York, | New York | 10036 |
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 852-7000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | Trading Symbols | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | FOXA | The Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | FOX | The Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | o |
Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | o |
Emerging growth company | o | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No x
As of May 5, 2023, 269,056,516 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 235,581,025 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.
FOX CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Revenues | $ | 4,084 | | | $ | 3,455 | | | $ | 11,881 | | | $ | 10,941 | |
Operating expenses | (2,727) | | | (2,164) | | | (7,911) | | | (7,402) | |
Selling, general and administrative | (528) | | | (485) | | | (1,526) | | | (1,368) | |
Depreciation and amortization | (106) | | | (92) | | | (308) | | | (264) | |
Interest expense, net | (55) | | | (91) | | | (183) | | | (285) | |
Other, net | (719) | | | (233) | | | (722) | | | (375) | |
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (expense) | (51) | | | 390 | | | 1,231 | | | 1,247 | |
Income tax benefit (expense) | 1 | | | (100) | | | (347) | | | (322) | |
Net (loss) income | (50) | | | 290 | | | 884 | | | 925 | |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (4) | | | (7) | | | (20) | | | (26) | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | (54) | | | $ | 283 | | | $ | 864 | | | $ | 899 | |
| | | | | | | |
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares: | | | | | | | |
Basic | 521 | | | 563 | | | 537 | | | 569 | |
Diluted | 521 | | | 567 | | | 539 | | | 573 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders per share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | (0.10) | | | $ | 0.50 | | | $ | 1.61 | | | $ | 1.58 | |
Diluted | $ | (0.10) | | | $ | 0.50 | | | $ | 1.60 | | | $ | 1.57 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(IN MILLIONS)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Net (loss) income | $ | (50) | | | $ | 290 | | | $ | 884 | | $ | 925 |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | | | | | | | |
Benefit plan adjustments and other | 6 | | | 3 | | | 13 | | | 17 | |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | 6 | | | 3 | | | 13 | | | 17 | |
Comprehensive (loss) income | (44) | | | 293 | | | 897 | | | 942 | |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(a) | (4) | | | (7) | | | (20) | | | (26) | |
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | (48) | | | $ | 286 | | | $ | 877 | | | $ | 916 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests includes $(4) million and $(5) million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $(14) million and $(9) million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to redeemable noncontrolling interests. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
FOX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of June 30, 2022 |
| (unaudited) | | (audited) |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,146 | | | $ | 5,200 | |
Receivables, net | 2,741 | | | 2,128 | |
Inventories, net | 487 | | | 791 | |
Other | 349 | | | 162 | |
Total current assets | 7,723 | | | 8,281 | |
Non-current assets | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,675 | | | 1,682 | |
Intangible assets, net | 3,097 | | | 3,157 | |
Goodwill | 3,557 | | | 3,554 | |
Deferred tax assets | 3,199 | | | 3,440 | |
Other non-current assets | 3,145 | | | 2,071 | |
Total assets | $ | 22,396 | | | $ | 22,185 | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | |
Current liabilities | | | |
Borrowings | $ | 1,249 | | | $ | — | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 3,153 | | | 2,296 | |
Total current liabilities | 4,402 | | | 2,296 | |
Non-current liabilities | | | |
Borrowings | 5,961 | | | 7,206 | |
Other liabilities | 1,578 | | | 1,120 | |
Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 200 | | | 188 | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | |
Equity | | | |
Class A Common Stock(a) | 3 | | | 3 | |
Class B Common Stock(b) | 2 | | | 3 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 8,361 | | | 9,098 | |
Retained earnings | 2,032 | | | 2,461 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (213) | | | (226) | |
Total Fox Corporation stockholders’ equity | 10,185 | | | 11,339 | |
Noncontrolling interests | 70 | | | 36 | |
Total equity | 10,255 | | | 11,375 | |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 22,396 | | | $ | 22,185 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 270,539,087 shares and 307,496,876 shares issued and outstanding at par as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. |
| | | | | |
(b) | Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 235,581,025 shares and 243,122,595 shares issued and outstanding at par as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Net income | $ | 884 | | | $ | 925 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 308 | | | 264 | |
Amortization of cable distribution investments | 12 | | | 14 | |
Equity-based compensation | 55 | | | 75 | |
Other, net | 722 | | | 375 | |
Deferred income taxes | 234 | | | 195 | |
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions | | | |
Receivables and other assets | (692) | | | (309) | |
Inventories net of programming payable | 222 | | | (156) | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (200) | | | (205) | |
Other changes, net | (238) | | | (227) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,307 | | | 951 | |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Property, plant and equipment | (237) | | | (191) | |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | — | | | (243) | |
Proceeds from dispositions, net | — | | | 82 | |
Purchase of investments | (55) | | | (28) | |
Other investing activities, net | (26) | | | (6) | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (318) | | | (386) | |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Repayment of borrowings | — | | | (750) | |
Repurchase of shares | (1,750) | | | (748) | |
Dividends paid and distributions | (291) | | | (295) | |
Sale of subsidiary noncontrolling interest | 25 | | | — | |
Other financing activities, net | (27) | | | (24) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (2,043) | | | (1,817) | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (1,054) | | | (1,252) | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 5,200 | | | 5,886 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 4,146 | | | $ | 4,634 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(IN MILLIONS)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class A | | Class B | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Fox Corporation Stockholders’ Equity | | Noncontrolling Interests(a) | | Total Equity |
| Common Stock | | Common Stock | | | | | | |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2022 | 298 | | | $ | 3 | | | 238 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 8,836 | | | $ | 2,985 | | | $ | (219) | | | $ | 11,607 | | | $ | 69 | | | $ | 11,676 | |
Net (loss) income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (54) | | | — | | | (54) | | | 8 | | | (46) | |
Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6 | | | 6 | | | — | | | 6 | |
Dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (128) | | | — | | | (128) | | | — | | | (128) | |
Shares repurchased | (27) | | | — | | | (3) | | | — | | | (502) | | | (761) | | | — | | | (1,263) | | | — | | | (1,263) | |
Other | (1) | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | 27 | | | (10) | | | — | | | 17 | | | (7) | | | 10 | |
Balance, March 31, 2023 | 270 | | | $ | 3 | | | 236 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 8,361 | | | $ | 2,032 | | | $ | (213) | | | $ | 10,185 | | | $ | 70 | | | $ | 10,255 | |
Balance, December 31, 2021 | 317 | | | $ | 3 | | | 248 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 9,265 | | | $ | 2,308 | | | $ | (304) | | | $ | 11,275 | | | $ | 15 | | | $ | 11,290 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 283 | | | — | | | 283 | | | 12 | | | 295 | |
Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | 3 | | | — | | | 3 | |
Dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (135) | | | — | | | (135) | | | — | | | (135) | |
Shares repurchased | (4) | | | — | | | (2) | | | — | | | (104) | | | (147) | | | — | | | (251) | | | — | | | (251) | |
Other | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 34 | | | (9) | | | — | | | 25 | | | (9) | | | 16 | |
Balance, March 31, 2022 | 313 | | | $ | 3 | | | 246 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 9,195 | | | $ | 2,300 | | | $ | (301) | | | $ | 11,200 | | | $ | 18 | | | $ | 11,218 | |
Balance, June 30, 2022 | 308 | | | $ | 3 | | | 243 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 9,098 | | | $ | 2,461 | | | $ | (226) | | | $ | 11,339 | | | $ | 36 | | | $ | 11,375 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 864 | | | — | | | 864 | | | 34 | | | 898 | |
Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 13 | | | 13 | | | — | | | 13 | |
Dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (265) | | | — | | | (265) | | | — | | | (265) | |
Shares repurchased | (38) | | | — | | | (8) | | | — | | | (763) | | | (1,000) | | | — | | | (1,763) | | | — | | | (1,763) | |
Other | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | 26 | | | (28) | | | — | | | (3) | | | — | | | (3) | |
Balance, March 31, 2023 | 270 | | | $ | 3 | | | 236 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 8,361 | | | $ | 2,032 | | | $ | (213) | | | $ | 10,185 | | | $ | 70 | | | $ | 10,255 | |
Balance, June 30, 2021 | 324 | | | $ | 3 | | | 252 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 9,453 | | | $ | 1,982 | | | $ | (318) | | | $ | 11,123 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 11,125 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 899 | | | — | | | 899 | | | 35 | | | 934 | |
Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 17 | | | 17 | | | — | | | 17 | |
Dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (273) | | | — | | | (273) | | | — | | | (273) | |
Shares repurchased | (14) | | | — | | | (6) | | | — | | | (326) | | | (422) | | | — | | | (748) | | | — | | | (748) | |
Other | 3 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 68 | | | 114 | | | — | | | 182 | | | (19) | | | 163 | |
Balance, March 31, 2022 | 313 | | | $ | 3 | | | 246 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 9,195 | | | $ | 2,300 | | | $ | (301) | | | $ | 11,200 | | | $ | 18 | | | $ | 11,218 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | Excludes Redeemable noncontrolling interests which are reflected in temporary equity (See Note 4—Fair Value under the heading “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests”). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Fox Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“FOX” or the “Company”), is a news, sports and entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in the following segments: Cable Network Programming, Television and Other, Corporate and Eliminations.
On October 14, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) had formed a special committee composed of independent members of the Board (the “Special Committee”) to begin exploring a potential combination with News Corporation. On January 24, 2023, the Company announced that the Board had received a letter from K. Rupert Murdoch withdrawing the proposal to explore the potential combination and, as a result of this action, the Special Committee was dissolved.
The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.
The preparation of the Company’s Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may differ from those estimates.
These interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”).
All significant intercompany transactions and accounts within the Company’s consolidated businesses have been eliminated. Investments in and advances to entities or joint ventures in which the Company has significant influence, but less than a controlling financial interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence generally exists when the Company owns an interest between 20% and 50%. Equity securities in which the Company has no significant influence (generally less than a 20% ownership interest) with readily determinable fair values are accounted for at fair value based on quoted market prices. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are accounted for either at fair value or using the measurement alternative method, which is at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. All gains and losses on investments in equity securities are recognized in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on June 30 (“fiscal”) of each year. Certain fiscal 2022 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2023 presentation.
The unaudited and audited consolidated financial statements are referred to as the “Financial Statements” herein. The unaudited consolidated statements of operations are referred to as the “Statements of Operations” herein. The unaudited and audited consolidated balance sheets are referred to as the “Balance Sheets” herein.
Recently Adopted, Recently Issued Accounting Guidance and Other
Inflation Reduction Act
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act which, among other changes, imposes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) and a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases. Once subject to the CAMT, a taxpayer will compute both its CAMT liability and its regular federal
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
tax liability and pay the higher of the two. To the extent that the CAMT liability exceeds the regular federal tax liability, a taxpayer will receive a credit (“CAMT credit”) which can be used against its regular federal tax liability in the future when the taxpayer is no longer subject to the CAMT. The CAMT credit does not expire. The CAMT is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, which means it will be applicable to the Company starting in fiscal 2024. The excise tax on stock repurchases applies to stock repurchases occurring after December 31, 2022.
The Company continues to evaluate the impact the CAMT will have on its financial statements but expects that, when applicable, the Company will be subject to the CAMT. The CAMT would impact the timing of the cash tax benefit the Company receives from the amortization of the additional tax basis received as a result of the Transaction Tax (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K). This change in timing would result in an increase to its annual cash tax liability which could be material. However, as noted above, if the Company pays CAMT it will receive a CAMT credit that can be carried forward indefinitely and applied against its regular federal tax liability in future years. The Company has been subject to the excise tax on stock repurchases occurring after December 31, 2022, but the impact to the financial statements is not material.
NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSALS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
The Company’s acquisitions support the Company’s strategy to strengthen its core brands, grow its digital businesses and selectively enhance production capabilities for its digital and linear platforms. There were no acquisitions during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023. During the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the Company made acquisitions, primarily consisting of three entertainment production companies, for total cash consideration of approximately $240 million. The revenues and Segment EBITDA (as defined in Note 10—Segment Information) included within the Company’s consolidated results of operations associated with these companies were not material individually or in the aggregate.
NOTE 3. INVENTORIES, NET
The Company’s inventories were comprised of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of June 30, 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Licensed programming, including prepaid sports rights | $ | 733 | | | $ | 975 | |
Owned programming | 446 | | | 337 | |
Total inventories, net | 1,179 | | | 1,312 | |
Less: current portion of inventories, net | (487) | | | (791) | |
Total non-current inventories, net | $ | 692 | | | $ | 521 | |
| | | |
Owned programming | | | |
Released | $ | 252 | | | $ | 205 | |
In-process and other | 194 | | | 132 | |
Total | $ | 446 | | | $ | 337 | |
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents the aggregate amortization expense related to Inventories, net included in Operating expenses in the Statements of Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) | | (in millions) |
Amortization expense | $ | 1,781 | | | $ | 1,150 | | | $ | 5,201 | | | $ | 4,591 | |
NOTE 4. FAIR VALUE
Fair value measurements are required to be disclosed using a three-tiered fair value hierarchy which distinguishes market participant assumptions into the following categories: (i) inputs that are quoted prices in active markets (“Level 1”); (ii) inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities (“Level 2”); and (iii) inputs that require the entity to use its own assumptions about market participant assumptions (“Level 3”).
The following tables present information about financial assets and redeemable noncontrolling interests carried at fair value on a recurring basis:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair value measurements | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | |
| Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | |
| (in millions) | |
Investments in equity securities | $ | 806 | | | $ | 806 | | (a) | $ | — | | | $ | — | | |
Redeemable noncontrolling interests | (200) | | | — | | | — | | | (200) | | (b) |
Total | $ | 606 | | | $ | 806 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (200) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair value measurements | |
| As of June 30, 2022 | |
| Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | |
| (in millions) | |
Investments in equity securities | $ | 435 | | | $ | 435 | | (a) | $ | — | | | $ | — | | |
Redeemable noncontrolling interests | (188) | | | — | | | — | | | (188) | | (b) |
Total | $ | 247 | | | $ | 435 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (188) | | |
| | | | | |
(a) | The investments categorized as Level 1 primarily represent an investment in equity securities of Flutter Entertainment plc (“Flutter”) with a readily determinable fair value (See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “Flutter” for additional information). |
| | | | | |
(b) | The Company utilizes both the market and income approach valuation techniques for its Level 3 fair value measures. Inputs to such measures could include observable market data obtained from independent sources such as broker quotes and recent market transactions for similar assets. It is the Company’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs in the measurement of its Level 3 fair value measurements. To the extent observable inputs are not available, the Company utilizes unobservable inputs based upon the assumptions market participants would use in valuing the redeemable noncontrolling interests. Examples of utilized unobservable inputs are future cash flows and long-term growth rates. |
In connection with the combination of The Stars Group Inc. and Flutter in May 2020, FOX Sports received the right to acquire an 18.6% equity interest in FanDuel Group (“FanDuel”), a majority-owned subsidiary of Flutter, at a price set forth in the relevant agreement (structured as a 10-year option), which has been the
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
subject of arbitration proceedings. In January 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed and entered the arbitrator’s ruling affirming FOX Sports’ 10-year call option expiring in December 2030 to acquire 18.6% of FanDuel for $3.72 billion, with a 5% annual escalator. FOX has no obligation to commit capital towards this opportunity unless and until it exercises the option. In addition, Flutter cannot pursue an initial public offering for FanDuel without FOX’s consent or approval from the arbitrator.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
The redeemable noncontrolling interests recorded are put rights held by minority shareholders in Credible Labs Inc. (“Credible”) and an entertainment production company.
The changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests classified as Level 3 measurements were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Beginning of period | $ | (196) | | | $ | (172) | | | $ | (188) | | | $ | (261) | |
Acquisitions(a) | — | | | — | | | — | | | (58) | |
Net loss | 4 | | | 5 | | | 14 | | | 9 | |
Distributions | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | |
Accretion and other(b) | (8) | | | (8) | | | (26) | | | 132 | |
End of period | $ | (200) | | | $ | (175) | | | $ | (200) | | | $ | (175) | |
| | | | | |
(a) | The increase for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to the acquisition of an entertainment production company. |
(b) | As a result of the expiration of the sports network minority shareholder’s final put right during the nine months ended March 31, 2022, approximately $110 million was reclassified into equity. |
The Credible minority put right will become exercisable in fiscal 2025. The put right held by the entertainment production company’s minority shareholder will become exercisable in fiscal 2027.
Financial Instruments
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments exclusive of borrowings, such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and investments, accounted for using the measurement alternative method, approximates fair value.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of June 30, 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Borrowings | | | |
Fair value | $ | 7,037 | | | $ | 7,084 | |
Carrying value | $ | 7,210 | | | $ | 7,206 | |
Fair value is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market (a Level 1 measurement).
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions. The Company has deposits held with banks that exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and, therefore, bear minimal credit risk.
Generally, the Company does not require collateral to secure receivables. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company had no customers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s receivables.
NOTE 5. BORROWINGS
Borrowings include senior notes (See Note 9—Borrowings in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “Public Debt – Senior Notes Issued”) of which $1.25 billion of 4.030% senior notes are due in January 2024. In addition, the Company is party to a credit agreement providing a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a sub-limit of $150 million available for the issuance of letters of credit and a maturity date of March 2024 (See Note 9—Borrowings in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “Revolving Credit Agreement”). As of March 31, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit agreement.
NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Stock Repurchase Program
The Board previously authorized a stock repurchase program under which the Company can repurchase $4 billion of Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”) and Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”). In February 2023, the Board authorized incremental stock repurchases of an additional $3 billion of Common Stock. With this increase, the Company’s total stock repurchase authorization is now $7 billion. The program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.
In February 2023, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement in which the Company paid a third-party financial institution $1 billion and received an initial delivery of approximately 22.5 million shares of Class A Common Stock, representing 80% of the shares expected to be repurchased under the ASR agreement, at a price of $35.54 per share, which was the Nasdaq Global Select Market closing share price of the Class A Common Stock on February 8, 2023. The Company will receive a final delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock, which is determined using the volume-weighted average market price of the Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market during the term of the ASR agreement less a discount. The Company accounted for the ASR agreement as two separate transactions. The initial delivery of Class A Common Stock was accounted for as a treasury stock transaction recorded on the acquisition date. The final settlement of Class A Common Stock is accounted for as a forward contract indexed to the Class A Common Stock and qualified as an equity transaction.
During the nine months ended March 31, 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 46 million shares of Common Stock for approximately $1.8 billion.
Repurchased shares are retired and reduce the number of shares issued and outstanding. The Company allocates the amount of the repurchase price over par value between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings.
As of March 31, 2023, the Company’s remaining stock repurchase authorization was approximately $2.6 billion. Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares of Common Stock for approximately $50 million.
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Loss) Earnings Per Share
The computation of diluted (loss) earnings per share did not include common stock equivalents during each period presented if their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
Dividends
The following table summarizes the dividends declared per share on both the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Cash dividend per share | $ | 0.25 | | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.50 | | | $ | 0.48 | |
The Company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.25 per share on both the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2023, which was paid on March 29, 2023 to stockholders of record on March 1, 2023.
NOTE 7. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has one equity plan, the Fox Corporation 2019 Shareholder Alignment Plan (See Note 12—Equity-Based Compensation in the 2022 Form 10-K).
The following table summarizes the Company’s equity-based compensation:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Equity-based compensation | $ | 23 | | | $ | 28 | | | $ | 55 | | | $ | 75 | |
Intrinsic value of all settled equity-based awards | $ | 1 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 77 | | | $ | 96 | |
Tax benefit on settled equity-based awards | $ | 1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 14 | | | $ | 21 | |
The Company’s equity-based awards are settled in Class A Common Stock. As of March 31, 2023, the Company’s total estimated compensation cost, not yet recognized, related to non-vested equity awards held by the Company’s employees was approximately $94 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period between one and two years.
As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had approximately 5 million and 6 million stock options outstanding, respectively.
Awards Vested and Granted
Restricted Stock Units
During the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, approximately 1.5 million and 2.4 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) vested and approximately 2.1 million and 1.7 million RSUs were granted, respectively. These RSUs generally vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period subject to participants’ continued employment with the Company.
Performance-Based Stock Options
During the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company granted approximately 4 million performance-based stock options, in each period, which will vest in full at the end of a three-year performance period if the market condition is met, and have a term of seven years thereafter.
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
The Company has commitments under certain firm contractual arrangements (“firm commitments”) to make future payments. These firm commitments secure the future rights to various assets and services to be used in the normal course of operations. The total firm commitments and future debt payments as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022 were approximately $39 billion and $42 billion, respectively. The decrease from June 30, 2022 was primarily due to sports programming rights payments.
In December 2022, the Company renewed the operating lease for its corporate headquarters at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New York through fiscal 2042. In connection with this extension, the Company recorded additional operating lease assets and liabilities of approximately $540 million in December 2022.
Contingencies
The Company establishes an accrued liability for legal claims and indemnification claims when the Company determines that a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Once established, accruals are adjusted from time to time, as appropriate, in light of additional information. The amount of any loss ultimately incurred in relation to matters for which an accrual has been established may be higher or lower than the amounts accrued for such matters. Any fees, expenses, fines, penalties, judgments or settlements which might be incurred by the Company in connection with the various proceedings could affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. For the contingencies disclosed below for which there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, other than the accrual provided, the Company was unable to estimate the amount of loss or range of loss.
FOX News
The Company’s FOX News business and certain of its current and former employees have been subject to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex and race. The Company has resolved many of these claims and is contesting other claims in litigation. The Company has also received regulatory and investigative inquiries relating to these matters. To date, none of the amounts paid in settlements or reserved for pending or future claims is material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company. The amount of additional liability, if any, that may result from these or related matters cannot be estimated at this time. However, the Company does not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity
In connection with the separation of Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (“21CF”) and News Corporation in June 2013 (the “21CF News Corporation Separation”), 21CF agreed to indemnify News Corporation, on an after-tax basis, for payments made after the 21CF News Corporation Separation arising out of civil claims and investigations relating to phone hacking, illegal data access and inappropriate payments to public officials that occurred at subsidiaries of News Corporation before the 21CF News Corporation Separation, as well as legal and professional fees and expenses paid in connection with the related criminal matters, other than fees, expenses and costs relating to employees who are not (i) directors, officers or certain designated employees or (ii) with respect to civil matters, co-defendants with News Corporation (the “U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity”). In accordance with the Separation Agreement (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “The Distribution”), the Company assumed certain costs and liabilities related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity. The liability recorded in the Balance Sheets related to the indemnity was approximately $120 million and $65 million as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. The increase in the liability recorded was attributable to an increase in the number of civil claims submitted in advance of the September 30, 2022 cutoff date set by the judge for this phase of the litigation.
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Defamation and Disparagement Claims
From time to time, the Company and its news businesses, including FOX News Media and the FOX Television Stations, and their employees are subject to lawsuits alleging defamation or disparagement. These include lawsuits filed by Smartmatic USA Corp. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Smartmatic”) in February 2021 seeking $2.7 billion in damages and Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Dominion”) in March 2021 seeking $1.6 billion in damages. On March 31, 2023, the court in the Dominion case issued its rulings on summary judgment motions that were unfavorable to the Company. Following these rulings, on April 18, 2023, the Company and its subsidiary, Fox News Network, LLC, entered into a Release and Settlement Agreement with Dominion pursuant to which the parties agreed to resolve the lawsuits among them. The Company paid an aggregate of approximately $800 million to settle this and a related lawsuit in April 2023, which was included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2023 and Other, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (See Note 11—Additional Financial Information under the headings “Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities” and Other, net”).
The Company continues to believe the Smartmatic and other lawsuits alleging defamation or disparagement are without merit and intends to defend against them vigorously, including through any appeals. Discovery in the Smartmatic case remains ongoing and it is likely that depositions, expert discovery and summary judgment and other key motions will follow. At this time, a trial in the Smartmatic lawsuit is not expected to commence until 2025. The Company is unable to predict the final outcome of these matters and has determined that a loss in the Smartmatic case is neither probable nor reasonably estimable. There can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of these pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
On April 11, 2023 and April 20, 2023, stockholders of the Company filed derivative lawsuits against certain directors of the Company under the captions Schwarz v. Murdoch et al., C.A. No. 2023-0418 (Del. Ch.) and Greenberg et al. v. Murdoch et al., C.A. No. 2023-0440 (Del. Ch.). The lawsuits each named the Company as a nominal defendant. The complaints allege that members of the Company’s Board breached their fiduciary duties by allowing the Company’s news channel to air programming regarding election fraud in connection with the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, which resulted in significant defamation cases. The plaintiffs seek orders awarding damages in favor of the Company; directing the Company to reform and improve its policies and procedures; and awarding the plaintiffs attorneys' fees and costs. The Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them.
Other
The Company’s operations are subject to tax primarily in various domestic jurisdictions and as a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by federal and state tax authorities. The Company believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of all pending tax matters and does not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of pending tax matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, future results of operations or liquidity. Each member of the 21CF consolidated group, which includes 21CF, the Company (prior to the Distribution (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “The Distribution”)) and 21CF’s other subsidiaries, is jointly and severally liable for the U.S. federal income and, in certain jurisdictions, state tax liabilities of each other member of the consolidated group. Consequently, the Company could be liable in the event any such liability is incurred, and not discharged, by any other member of the 21CF consolidated group. The tax matters agreement entered into in connection with the Separation (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “The Distribution”) requires 21CF and/or The Walt Disney Company to indemnify the Company for any such liability. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the Internal Revenue Service in amounts that the Company cannot quantify.
NOTE 9. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company participates in and/or sponsors various pension, savings and postretirement benefit plans. Pension plans and postretirement benefit plans are closed to new participants with the exception of a small
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
group covered by collective bargaining agreements. The net periodic benefit cost was $16 million and $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $48 million and $41 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
NOTE 10. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company is a news, sports and entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in the following segments:
•Cable Network Programming, which produces and licenses news and sports content distributed through traditional cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and telecommunication companies (“traditional MVPDs”), virtual multi-channel video programming distributors (“virtual MVPDs”) and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S.
•Television, which produces, acquires, markets and distributes programming through the FOX broadcast network, advertising supported video-on-demand (“AVOD”) service TUBI, 29 full power broadcast television stations, including 11 duopolies, and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S. Eighteen of the broadcast television stations are affiliated with the FOX Network, 10 are affiliated with MyNetworkTV and one is an independent station.
•Other, Corporate and Eliminations, which principally consists of the FOX Studio Lot, Credible, corporate overhead costs and intracompany eliminations. The FOX Studio Lot, located in Los Angeles, California, provides television and film production services along with office space, studio operation services and includes all operations of the facility. Credible is a U.S. consumer finance marketplace.
The Company’s operating segments have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based on operating activities. The Company evaluates performance based upon several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment operating income before depreciation and amortization, or Segment EBITDA. Due to the integrated nature of these operating segments, estimates and judgments are made in allocating certain assets, revenues and expenses.
Segment EBITDA is defined as Revenues less Operating expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Segment EBITDA does not include: Amortization of cable distribution investments, Depreciation and amortization, Impairment and restructuring charges, Interest expense, net, Other, net and Income tax expense. Management believes that Segment EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business segments because it is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to the Company’s businesses.
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables set forth the Company’s Revenues and Segment EBITDA for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Revenues | | | | | | | |
Cable Network Programming | $ | 1,570 | | | $ | 1,583 | | | $ | 4,633 | | | $ | 4,637 | |
Television | 2,475 | | | 1,820 | | | 7,123 | | | 6,160 | |
Other, Corporate and Eliminations | 39 | | | 52 | | | 125 | | | 144 | |
Total revenues | $ | 4,084 | | | $ | 3,455 | | | $ | 11,881 | | | $ | 10,941 | |
Segment EBITDA | | | | | | | |
Cable Network Programming | $ | 792 | | | $ | 864 | | | $ | 1,887 | | | $ | 2,306 | |
Television | 117 | | | 35 | | | 782 | | | 121 | |
Other, Corporate and Eliminations | (76) | | | (88) | | | (213) | | | (242) | |
Amortization of cable distribution investments | (4) | | | (5) | | | (12) | | | (14) | |
Depreciation and amortization | (106) | | | (92) | | | (308) | | | (264) | |
Interest expense, net | (55) | | | (91) | | | (183) | | | (285) | |
Other, net | (719) | | | (233) | | | (722) | | | (375) | |
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (expense) | (51) | | | 390 | | | 1,231 | | | 1,247 | |
Income tax benefit (expense) | 1 | | | (100) | | | (347) | | | (322) | |
Net (loss) income | (50) | | | 290 | | | 884 | | | 925 | |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (4) | | | (7) | | | (20) | | | (26) | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | (54) | | | $ | 283 | | | $ | 864 | | | $ | 899 | |
Revenues by Segment by Component
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Cable Network Programming | | | | | | | |
Affiliate fee | $ | 1,093 | | | $ | 1,097 | | | $ | 3,148 | | | $ | 3,162 | |
Advertising | 316 | | | 339 | | | 1,083 | | | 1,104 | |
Other | 161 | | | 147 | | | 402 | | | 371 | |
Total Cable Network Programming revenues | 1,570 | | | 1,583 | | | 4,633 | | | 4,637 | |
Television | | | | | | | |
Advertising | 1,559 | | | 969 | | | 4,516 | | | 3,742 | |
Affiliate fee | 764 | | | 700 | | | 2,132 | | | 1,990 | |
Other | 152 | | | 151 | | | 475 | | | 428 | |
Total Television revenues | 2,475 | | | 1,820 | | | 7,123 | | | 6,160 | |
Other, Corporate and Eliminations | 39 | | | 52 | | | 125 | | | 144 | |
Total revenues | $ | 4,084 | | | $ | 3,455 | | | $ | 11,881 | | | $ | 10,941 | |
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | |
Cable Network Programming | $ | 18 | | | $ | 16 | | | $ | 52 | | | $ | 43 | |
Television | 38 | | | 28 | | | 97 | | | 82 | |
Other, Corporate and Eliminations | 50 | | | 48 | | | 159 | | | 139 | |
Total depreciation and amortization | $ | 106 | | | $ | 92 | | | $ | 308 | | | $ | 264 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of June 30, 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Assets | | | |
Cable Network Programming | $ | 2,763 | | | $ | 2,682 | |
Television | 8,337 | | | 7,915 | |
Other, Corporate and Eliminations | 10,342 | | | 11,010 | |
Investments | 954 | | | 578 | |
Total assets | $ | 22,396 | | | $ | 22,185 | |
NOTE 11. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Interest Expense, net
The following table sets forth the components of Interest expense, net included in the Statements of Operations:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Interest expense | $ | (86) | | | $ | (92) | | | $ | (262) | | | $ | (287) | |
Interest income | 31 | | | 1 | | | 79 | | | 2 | |
Total interest expense, net | $ | (55) | | | $ | (91) | | | $ | (183) | | | $ | (285) | |
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Other, net
The following table sets forth the components of Other, net included in the Statements of Operations:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Legal settlement costs(a) | $ | (850) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (850) | | | $ | — | |
Net gains (losses) on investments in equity securities(b) | 182 | | | (191) | | | 317 | | | (293) | |
U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity(a) | (24) | | | (22) | | | (106) | | | (71) | |
Transaction costs | (17) | | | (17) | | | (45) | | | (41) | |
Other | (10) | | | (3) | | | (38) | | | 30 | |
Total other, net | $ | (719) | | | $ | (233) | | | $ | (722) | | | $ | (375) | |
| | | | | |
(a) | See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies under the headings “Defamation and Disparagement Claims” and “U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity.” |
(b) | Net gains (losses) on investments in equity securities includes the gains (losses) related to the change in fair value of the Company’s investment in Flutter (See Note 4—Fair Value). |
Other Non-Current Assets
The following table sets forth the components of Other non-current assets included in the Balance Sheets:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of June 30, 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Operating lease assets(a) | $ | 965 | | | $ | 477 | |
Investments(b) | 954 | | | 578 | |
Inventories, net | 692 | | | 521 | |
Grantor Trust | 269 | | | 270 | |
Other | 265 | | | 225 | |
Total other non-current assets | $ | 3,145 | | | $ | 2,071 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies under the heading “Commitments.” |
(b) | Includes investments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis of $806 million and $435 million as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively (See Note 4—Fair Value). |
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
The following table sets forth the components of Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities included in the Balance Sheets:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of June 30, 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Accrued expenses(a) | $ | 1,662 | | | $ | 992 | |
Programming payable | 836 | | | 686 | |
Deferred revenue | 186 | | | 209 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 77 | | | 107 | |
Other current liabilities | 392 | | | 302 | |
Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | 3,153 | | | $ | 2,296 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies under the heading “Defamation and Disparagement Claims.” |
Other Liabilities
The following table sets forth the components of Other liabilities included in the Balance Sheets:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of June 30, 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Non-current operating lease liabilities(a) | $ | 930 | | | $ | 405 | |
Accrued non-current pension/postretirement liabilities | 426 | | | 447 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 222 | | | 268 | |
Total other liabilities | $ | 1,578 | | | $ | 1,120 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies under the heading “Commitments.” |
Future Performance Obligations
As of March 31, 2023, approximately $4.0 billion of revenues are expected to be recognized primarily over the next one to three years. The Company’s most significant remaining performance obligations relate to affiliate contracts, sports advertising contracts and content licensing contracts with fixed fees. The amount disclosed does not include (i) revenues related to performance obligations that are part of a contract whose original expected duration is one year or less, (ii) revenues that are in the form of sales- or usage-based royalties and (iii) revenues related to performance obligations for which the Company elects to recognize revenue in the amount it has a right to invoice.
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Supplemental Information
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Supplemental cash flows information | | | |
Cash paid for interest | $ | (324) | | | $ | (363) | |
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | (239) | | | $ | (204) | |
| | | |
Supplemental information on acquisitions | | | |
Fair value of assets acquired, excluding cash | $ | — | | | $ | 348 | |
Cash acquired | — | | | 7 | |
Liabilities assumed | — | | | (47) | |
Redeemable noncontrolling interests issued | — | | | (5) | |
Cash paid | — | | | (250) | |
Fair value of equity instruments issued as consideration to third parties(a) | — | | | 53 | |
Issuance of subsidiary common units | — | | | (53) | |
Fair value of equity instruments consideration | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | Includes Redeemable noncontrolling interests. |
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Readers should carefully review this document and the other documents filed by Fox Corporation (“FOX” or the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This section should be read together with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, (“fiscal”) 2022 as filed with the SEC on August 12, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”). The unaudited consolidated financial statements are referred to as the “Financial Statements” herein.
INTRODUCTION
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to help provide an understanding of the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. This discussion is organized as follows:
•Overview of the Company’s Business—This section provides a general description of the Company’s businesses, as well as developments that occurred during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 that the Company believes are important in understanding its results of operations and financial condition or to disclose known trends.
•Results of Operations—This section provides an analysis of the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. This analysis is presented on both a consolidated and a segment basis. In addition, a brief description is provided of significant transactions and events that impact the comparability of the results being analyzed.
•Liquidity and Capital Resources—This section provides an analysis of the Company’s cash flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as a discussion of the Company’s outstanding debt and commitments, both firm and contingent, that existed as of March 31, 2023. Included in the discussion of outstanding debt is a discussion of the amount of financial capacity available to fund the Company’s future commitments and obligations, as well as a discussion of other financing arrangements.
•Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements—This section provides a description of the use of forward-looking information appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Such information is based on management’s current expectations about future events which are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties. Refer to Part I., Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the 2022 Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk factors applicable to the Company.
OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS
The Company is a news, sports and entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in the following segments:
•Cable Network Programming, which produces and licenses news and sports content distributed through traditional cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and telecommunication companies (“traditional MVPDs”), virtual multi-channel video programming distributors (“virtual MVPDs”) and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S.
•Television, which produces, acquires, markets and distributes programming through the FOX broadcast network, advertising-supported video-on-demand (“AVOD”) service TUBI, 29 full power broadcast television stations, including 11 duopolies, and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S. Eighteen of the broadcast television stations are affiliated with the FOX Network, 10 are affiliated with MyNetworkTV and one is an independent station.
•Other, Corporate and Eliminations, which principally consists of the FOX Studio Lot, Credible Labs Inc. (“Credible”), corporate overhead costs and intracompany eliminations. The FOX Studio Lot, located in Los Angeles, California, provides television and film production services along with office space, studio operation services and includes all operations of the facility. Credible is a U.S. consumer finance marketplace.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations—For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 versus the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022.
The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change |
(in millions, except %) | | | | | Better/(Worse) | | | | | | Better/(Worse) |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Affiliate fee | $ | 1,857 | | | $ | 1,797 | | | $ | 60 | | | 3 | % | | $ | 5,280 | | | $ | 5,152 | | | $ | 128 | | | 2 | % |
Advertising | 1,875 | | | 1,307 | | | 568 | | | 43 | % | | 5,598 | | | 4,845 | | | 753 | | | 16 | % |
Other | 352 | | | 351 | | | 1 | | | — | % | | 1,003 | | | 944 | | | 59 | | | 6 | % |
Total revenues | 4,084 | | | 3,455 | | | 629 | | | 18 | % | | 11,881 | | | 10,941 | | | 940 | | | 9 | % |
Operating expenses | (2,727) | | | (2,164) | | | (563) | | | (26) | % | | (7,911) | | | (7,402) | | | (509) | | | (7) | % |
Selling, general and administrative | (528) | | | (485) | | | (43) | | | (9) | % | | (1,526) | | | (1,368) | | | (158) | | | (12) | % |
Depreciation and amortization | (106) | | | (92) | | | (14) | | | (15) | % | | (308) | | | (264) | | | (44) | | | (17) | % |
Interest expense, net | (55) | | | (91) | | | 36 | | | 40 | % | | (183) | | | (285) | | | 102 | | | 36 | % |
Other, net | (719) | | | (233) | | | (486) | | | ** | | (722) | | | (375) | | | (347) | | | (93) | % |
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (expense) | (51) | | | 390 | | | (441) | | | ** | | 1,231 | | | 1,247 | | | (16) | | | (1) | % |
Income tax benefit (expense) | 1 | | | (100) | | | 101 | | | ** | | (347) | | | (322) | | | (25) | | | (8) | % |
Net (loss) income | (50) | | | 290 | | | (340) | | | ** | | 884 | | | 925 | | | (41) | | | (4) | % |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (4) | | | (7) | | | 3 | | | 43 | % | | (20) | | | (26) | | | 6 | | | 23 | % |
Net (loss) income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | (54) | | | $ | 283 | | | $ | (337) | | | ** | | $ | 864 | | | $ | 899 | | | $ | (35) | | | (4) | % |
Overview
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
The Company’s revenues increased 18% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher advertising and affiliate fee revenues. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily attributable to revenues resulting from the broadcast of Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 (including the post-game broadcast of Next Level Chef) of approximately $550 million, a higher volume of National Football League (“NFL”) games in the current year and continued growth at TUBI, partially offset by lower ratings at the FOX Network and lower direct response advertising revenue at FOX News Media. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily due to higher fees received from television stations that are affiliated with the FOX Network and higher average rates per subscriber, led by contractual rate increases on existing affiliate agreements and from affiliate agreement renewals, partially offset by a lower average number of subscribers at the Company’s owned and operated television stations.
Operating expenses increased 26% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher sports programming rights amortization and
production costs driven by the broadcast of Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 and a higher volume of NFL games in the current year and increased digital investment in TUBI, partially offset by lower entertainment programming costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher legal costs at FOX News Media and higher employee related costs.
For the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
The Company’s revenues increased 9% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, due to higher advertising, affiliate fee and other revenues. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily attributable to revenues resulting from the broadcast of Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, higher political advertising revenue at FOX Television Stations principally due to the November 2022 United States (“U.S.”) midterm elections, the broadcast of the Fédération International de Football Association (“FIFA”) Men’s World Cup in the fall of 2022, additional NFL post-season games and continued growth at TUBI. Partially offsetting this increase was the absence of NFL Thursday Night Football (“TNF”) and lower ratings at the FOX Network in the current year. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily due to higher fees received from television stations that are affiliated with the FOX Network and higher average rates per subscriber, led by contractual rate increases on existing affiliate agreements and from affiliate agreement renewals, partially offset by a lower average number of subscribers at the Company’s owned and operated television stations. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to the impact of acquisitions of entertainment production companies in fiscal 2022 and higher FOX Nation subscription revenues, partially offset by the timing of animation productions.
Operating expenses increased 7% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher sports programming rights amortization and production costs driven by the broadcast of the Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, the FIFA Men’s World Cup in the fall of 2022 and additional post-season NFL and Major League Baseball (“MLB”) content, as well as increased digital investment in TUBI and at FOX News Media. Partially offsetting this increase was the absence of TNF and lower entertainment marketing and timing of certain programming costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 12% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher legal costs at FOX News Media, higher employee related costs and the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies.
Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization expense increased 15% and 17% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2022, primarily due to an increase in broadcast production assets at FOX Sports, increased spending as a result of digital initiatives, and, for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies.
Other, net—See Note 11—Additional Financial Information to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Other, net.”
Income tax benefit (expense)—The Company’s tax provision and related effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, was different than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes and the impact of other permanent items.
The Company's tax provision and related effective tax rate of 26% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022 was higher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes.
Net (loss) income—The Company recorded a net loss of $50 million and net income of $884 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively, as compared to net income of $290 million and $925 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. The decreases were primarily due to legal settlement costs at FOX News Media (See Note 11—Additional Financial Information to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Other, net”), partially offset by a higher gain recognized
on the change in fair value of the Company's investment in Flutter Entertainment plc and higher Segment EBITDA (as defined below).
Segment Analysis
The Company’s operating segments have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based on operating activities. The Company evaluates performance based upon several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment operating income before depreciation and amortization, or Segment EBITDA. Due to the integrated nature of these operating segments, estimates and judgments are made in allocating certain assets, revenues and expenses.
Segment EBITDA is defined as Revenues less Operating expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Segment EBITDA does not include: Amortization of cable distribution investments, Depreciation and amortization, Impairment and restructuring charges, Interest expense, net, Other, net and Income tax expense. Management believes that Segment EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business segments because it is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to the Company’s businesses.
The following tables set forth the Company’s Revenues and Segment EBITDA for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change |
(in millions, except %) | | | | | Better/(Worse) | | | | | | Better/(Worse) |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cable Network Programming | $ | 1,570 | | | $ | 1,583 | | | $ | (13) | | | (1) | % | | $ | 4,633 | | | $ | 4,637 | | | $ | (4) | | | — | % |
Television | 2,475 | | | 1,820 | | | 655 | | | 36 | % | | 7,123 | | | 6,160 | | | 963 | | | 16 | % |
Other, Corporate and Eliminations | 39 | | | 52 | | | (13) | | | (25) | % | | 125 | | | 144 | | | (19) | | | (13) | % |
Total revenues | $ | 4,084 | | | $ | 3,455 | | | $ | 629 | | | 18 | % | | $ | 11,881 | | | $ | 10,941 | | | $ | 940 | | | 9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change |
(in millions, except %) | | | | | Better/(Worse) | | | | | | Better/(Worse) |
Segment EBITDA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cable Network Programming | $ | 792 | | | $ | 864 | | | $ | (72) | | | (8) | % | | $ | 1,887 | | | $ | 2,306 | | | $ | (419) | | | (18) | % |
Television | 117 | | | 35 | | | 82 | | | ** | | 782 | | | 121 | | | 661 | | | ** |
Other, Corporate and Eliminations | (76) | | | (88) | | | 12 | | | 14 | % | | (213) | | | (242) | | | 29 | | | 12 | % |
Adjusted EBITDA(a) | $ | 833 | | | $ | 811 | | | $ | 22 | | | 3 | % | | $ | 2,456 | | | $ | 2,185 | | | $ | 271 | | | 12 | % |
| | | | | |
** | not meaningful |
(a) | For a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. |
Cable Network Programming (39% and 43% of the Company’s revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change |
(in millions, except %) | | | | | Better/(Worse) | | | | | | Better/(Worse) |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Affiliate fee | $ | 1,093 | | | $ | 1,097 | | | $ | (4) | | | — | % | | $ | 3,148 | | | $ | 3,162 | | | $ | (14) | | | — | % |
Advertising | 316 | | | 339 | | | (23) | | | (7) | % | | 1,083 | | | 1,104 | | | (21) | | | (2) | % |
Other | 161 | | | 147 | | | 14 | | | 10 | % | | 402 | | | 371 | | | 31 | | | 8 | % |
Total revenues | 1,570 | | | 1,583 | | | (13) | | | (1) | % | | 4,633 | | | 4,637 | | | (4) | | | — | % |
Operating expenses | (610) | | | (580) | | | (30) | | | (5) | % | | (2,271) | | | (1,940) | | | (331) | | | (17) | % |
Selling, general and administrative | (172) | | | (144) | | | (28) | | | (19) | % | | (487) | | | (405) | | | (82) | | | (20) | % |
Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | | | 5 | | | (1) | | | (20) | % | | 12 | | | 14 | | | (2) | | | (14) | % |
Segment EBITDA | $ | 792 | | | $ | 864 | | | $ | (72) | | | (8) | % | | $ | 1,887 | | | $ | 2,306 | | | $ | (419) | | | (18) | % |
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenues at the Cable Network Programming segment decreased 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to lower affiliate fee and advertising revenues, partially offset by higher other revenues. Affiliate fee revenue remained relatively consistent as the decrease in the average number of subscribers was offset by higher average rates per subscriber, led by contractual rate increases on existing affiliate agreements and from affiliate agreement renewals. The decrease in the average number of subscribers was due to a reduction in traditional MVPD subscribers, partially offset by an increase in virtual MVPD subscribers. The decrease in advertising revenue was primarily due to lower direct response advertising revenue at FOX News Media, partially offset by the broadcast of the World Baseball Classic at the national sports networks in the current year quarter. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to higher FOX Nation subscription revenues.
Cable Network Programming Segment EBITDA decreased 8% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, due to the revenue decreases noted above and higher expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher sports programming rights amortization and production costs, including the broadcast of the World Baseball Classic at the national sports networks. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher legal costs at FOX News Media. Also contributing to the increase in expenses was higher costs associated with the second season of the United States Football League (“USFL”).
For the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenues at the Cable Network Programming segment remained relatively consistent for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, as the decreases in affiliate fee and advertising revenues were offset by higher other revenues. Affiliate fee revenue remained relatively consistent as the decrease in the average number of subscribers was offset by higher average rates per subscriber, led by contractual rate increases on existing affiliate agreements and from affiliate agreement renewals. The decrease in the average number of subscribers was due to a reduction in traditional MVPD subscribers, partially offset by an increase in virtual MVPD subscribers. Advertising revenue decreased primarily due to lower direct response and digital advertising revenues at FOX News Media, partially offset by the broadcast of the FIFA Men’s World Cup at the national sports networks in the current year. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to higher FOX Nation subscription revenues.
Cable Network Programming Segment EBITDA decreased 18% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher sports programming rights amortization led by the broadcast of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, the renewed MLB contract and additional college football games at the national sports
networks, and increased digital investment at FOX News Media. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher legal costs at FOX News Media and higher costs associated with the expansion of the USFL.
Television (60% and 56% of the Company’s revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change |
(in millions, except %) | | | | | Better/(Worse) | | | | | | Better/(Worse) |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advertising | $ | 1,559 | | | $ | 969 | | | $ | 590 | | | 61 | % | | $ | 4,516 | | | $ | 3,742 | | | $ | 774 | | | 21 | % |
Affiliate fee | 764 | | | 700 | | | 64 | | | 9 | % | | 2,132 | | | 1,990 | | | 142 | | | 7 | % |
Other | 152 | | | 151 | | | 1 | | | 1 | % | | 475 | | | 428 | | | 47 | | | 11 | % |
Total revenues | 2,475 | | | 1,820 | | | 655 | | | 36 | % | | 7,123 | | | 6,160 | | | 963 | | | 16 | % |
Operating expenses | (2,106) | | | (1,557) | | | (549) | | | (35) | % | | (5,592) | | | (5,392) | | | (200) | | | (4) | % |
Selling, general and administrative | (252) | | | (228) | | | (24) | | | (11) | % | | (749) | | | (647) | | | (102) | | | (16) | % |
Segment EBITDA | $ | 117 | | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 82 | | | ** | | $ | 782 | | | $ | 121 | | | $ | 661 | | | ** |
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenues at the Television segment increased 36% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher advertising and affiliate fee revenues. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to revenues resulting from the broadcast of Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 and a higher volume of NFL games partially offset by lower ratings at the FOX Network, and continued growth at TUBI. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily due to higher fees received from television stations that are affiliated with the FOX Network and higher average rates per subscriber partially offset by a lower average number of subscribers at the Company’s owned and operated television stations.
Television Segment EBITDA increased $82 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, due to the revenue increases noted above, partially offset by higher expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher sports programming rights amortization and production costs driven by the broadcast of Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 and a higher volume of NFL games and increased digital investment in TUBI, partially offset by lower entertainment programming costs including the absence of a write-down of certain scripted programming in the prior year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher employee related costs.
For the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenues at the Television segment increased 16% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, due to higher advertising, affiliate fee and other revenues. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to revenues resulting from the broadcast of Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, higher political advertising revenue at FOX Television Stations principally due to the November 2022 U.S. midterm elections, the broadcast of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, additional NFL post-season games and continued growth at TUBI. Partially offsetting this increase was the absence of TNF and lower ratings at the FOX Network in the current year. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily due to higher fees received from television stations that are affiliated with the FOX Network and higher average rates per subscriber partially offset by a lower average number of subscribers at the Company’s owned and operated
television stations. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to the impact of acquisitions of entertainment production companies in fiscal 2022, partially offset by the timing of animation productions.
Television Segment EBITDA increased $661 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, due to the revenue increases noted above, partially offset by higher expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher sports programming rights amortization and production costs driven by the broadcast of the Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, NFL and MLB content, led by additional post-season games, and the FIFA Men’s World Cup, as well as increased digital investment in TUBI. Partially offsetting this increase was the absence of TNF and lower entertainment marketing and timing of certain programming costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher employee related costs and the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies.
Other, Corporate and Eliminations (1% of the Company’s revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2023 and 2022)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change | | 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | % Change |
(in millions, except %) | | | | | Better/(Worse) | | | | | | Better/(Worse) |
Revenues | $ | 39 | | | $ | 52 | | | $ | (13) | | | (25) | % | | $ | 125 | | | $ | 144 | | | $ | (19) | | | (13) | % |
Operating expenses | (11) | | | (27) | | | 16 | | | 59 | % | | (48) | | | (70) | | | 22 | | | 31 | % |
Selling, general and administrative | (104) | | | (113) | | | 9 | | | 8 | % | | (290) | | | (316) | | | 26 | | | 8 | % |
Segment EBITDA | $ | (76) | | | $ | (88) | | | $ | 12 | | | 14 | % | | $ | (213) | | | $ | (242) | | | $ | 29 | | | 12 | % |
For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenues at the Other, Corporate and Eliminations segment for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 include revenues generated by Credible and the operation of the FOX Studio Lot for third parties. Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 include advertising and promotional expenses at Credible. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 primarily relate to employee costs, professional fees and the costs of operating the FOX Studio Lot.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
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, Impairment and restructuring charges, Interest expense, net, Other, net and Income tax expense.
Management believes that information about Adjusted EBITDA assists all users of the Company’s 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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, 2023, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Net (loss) income | $ | (50) | | | $ | 290 | | | $ | 884 | | | $ | 925 | |
Add | | | | | | | |
Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | | | 5 | | | 12 | | | 14 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 106 | | | 92 | | | 308 | | | 264 | |
Interest expense, net | 55 | | | 91 | | | 183 | | | 285 | |
Other, net | 719 | | | 233 | | | 722 | | | 375 | |
Income tax (benefit) expense | (1) | | | 100 | | | 347 | | | 322 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 833 | | | $ | 811 | | | $ | 2,456 | | | $ | 2,185 | |
The following table sets forth the computation of Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | For the nine months ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in millions) |
Revenues | $ | 4,084 | | | $ | 3,455 | | | $ | 11,881 | | | $ | 10,941 | |
Operating expenses | (2,727) | | | (2,164) | | | (7,911) | | | (7,402) | |
Selling, general and administrative | (528) | | | (485) | | | (1,526) | | | (1,368) | |
Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | | | 5 | | | 12 | | | 14 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 833 | | | $ | 811 | | | $ | 2,456 | | | $ | 2,185 | |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Current Financial Condition
The Company has approximately $4.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2023 and an unused five-year $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (See Note 5—Borrowings to the accompanying Financial Statements). The Company also has access to the worldwide capital markets, subject to market conditions. As of March 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the revolving credit facility, and it does not anticipate any noncompliance with such covenants.
The principal uses of cash that affect the Company’s liquidity position include the following: the acquisition of rights and related payments for entertainment and sports programming; operational expenditures including production costs; marketing and promotional expenses; expenses related to broadcasting the Company’s programming; employee and facility costs; capital expenditures; acquisitions; interest and dividend payments; debt repayments; legal settlements; and stock repurchases.
The Company has evaluated, and expects to continue to evaluate, possible acquisitions and dispositions of certain businesses and assets. Such transactions may be material and may involve cash, the Company’s securities or the assumption of additional indebtedness.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the nine months ended March 31, | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 1,307 | | | $ | 951 | |
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, was primarily due to higher Segment EBITDA, lower sports rights payments primarily due to the current year absence of Thursday Night Football and lower entertainment programming costs.
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the nine months ended March 31, | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Net cash used in investing activities | | $ | (318) | | | $ | (386) | |
The decrease in net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, was primarily due to the absence of acquisitions and dispositions, partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures and higher investments in equity securities.
Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the nine months ended March 31, | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Net cash used in financing activities | | $ | (2,043) | | | $ | (1,817) | |
The increase in net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, was primarily due to activity under the stock repurchase program, partially offset by the absence of the $750 million repayment of senior notes that matured in January 2022 (See Note 9—Borrowings in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “Current Borrowings”).
Stock Repurchase Program
See Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Stock Repurchase Program.”
Dividends
The Company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.25 per share on both the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2023, which was paid on March 29, 2023 with a record date for determining dividend entitlements of March 1, 2023.
Debt Instruments
Borrowings include senior notes (See Note 9—Borrowings in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “Public Debt – Senior Notes Issued”).
Ratings of the Senior Notes
The following table summarizes the Company’s credit ratings as of March 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Rating Agency | | Senior Debt | | Outlook |
Moody’s | | Baa2 | | Stable |
Standard & Poor’s | | BBB | | Stable |
Revolving Credit Agreement
The Company has an unused five-year $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a maturity date of March 2024 (See Note 5—Borrowings to the accompanying Financial Statements).
Commitments and Contingencies
See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying Financial Statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Recently Adopted, Recently Issued Accounting Guidance and Other.”
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any statements regarding (i) future earnings, revenues or other measures of the Company’s financial performance; (ii) the Company’s plans, strategies and objectives for future operations; (iii) proposed new programming or other offerings; (iv) future economic conditions or performance; and (v) assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “outlook” or any other similar words.
Although the Company’s management believes that the expectations reflected in any of the Company’s forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any forward-looking statements. The Company’s future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed or incorporated by reference in our filings with the SEC. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those estimates or projections contained in the Company’s forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, government regulation, economic, strategic, political and social conditions and the following factors:
•evolving technologies and distribution platforms and changes in consumer behavior as consumers seek more control over when, where and how they consume content, and related impacts on advertisers and MVPDs;
•declines in advertising expenditures due to various factors such as the economic prospects of advertisers or the economy, major sports events and election cycles, evolving technologies and distribution platforms and related changes in consumer behavior and shifts in advertisers’ expenditures, the evolving market for AVOD advertising campaigns, and audience measurement methodologies’ ability to accurately reflect actual viewership levels;
•further declines in the number of subscribers to MVPD services;
•the failure to enter into or renew on favorable terms, or at all, affiliation or carriage agreements or arrangements through which the Company makes its content available for viewing through online video platforms;
•the impact of COVID-19 and other widespread health emergencies or pandemics and measures to contain their spread;
•the highly competitive nature of the industry in which the Company’s businesses operate;
•the popularity of the Company’s content, including special sports events; and the continued popularity of the sports franchises, leagues and teams for which the Company has acquired programming rights;
•the Company’s ability to renew programming rights, particularly sports programming rights, on sufficiently favorable terms, or at all;
•damage to the Company’s brands or reputation;
•the inability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Company’s strategic investments and acquisitions, and the effects of any combination or significant acquisition, disposition or other similar transaction involving the Company;
•the loss of key personnel;
•labor disputes, including labor disputes involving professional sports leagues whose games or events the Company has the right to broadcast;
•lower than expected valuations associated with the Company’s reporting units, indefinite-lived intangible assets, investments or long-lived assets;
•a degradation, failure or misuse of the Company’s network and information systems and other technology relied on by the Company that causes a disruption of services or improper disclosure of personal data or other confidential information;
•content piracy and signal theft and the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights;
•the failure to comply with laws, regulations, rules, industry standards or contractual obligations relating to privacy and personal data protection;
•changes in tax, federal communications or other laws, regulations, practices or the interpretations thereof (including changes in legislation currently being considered);
•the impact of any investigations or fines from governmental authorities, including Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rules and policies and FCC decisions regarding revocation, renewal or grant of station licenses, waivers and other matters;
•the failure or destruction of satellites or transmitter facilities the Company depends on to distribute its programming;
•unfavorable litigation outcomes or investigation results that require the Company to pay significant amounts or lead to onerous operating procedures;
•changes in GAAP or other applicable accounting standards and policies;
•the Company’s ability to secure additional capital on acceptable terms;
•the impact of any payments the Company is required to make or liabilities it is required to assume under the Separation Agreement (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K) and the indemnification arrangements entered into in connection with the Separation and the Distribution (each as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K); and
•the other risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I., Item 1A. ‘Risk Factors’ in the 2022 Form 10-K.
Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date hereof, and forward-looking statements in documents that are incorporated by reference hereto speak only as of the date of those documents. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement made herein or to report any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in our expectations, except as required by law.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in the market risks reported in the 2022 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Contingencies” for a discussion of the Company’s legal proceedings.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2022.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Below is a summary of the Company’s repurchases of its Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total number of shares purchased(a) | | Average price paid per share(b) | | Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program(b)(c) |
| | | | | (in millions) |
January 1, 2023 - January 31, 2023 | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock | 1,089,696 | | | $ | 32.12 | | | |
Class B Common Stock | 504,020 | | | 30.11 | | | |
February 1, 2023 - February 28, 2023 | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock(d) | 23,962,014 | | | 43.92 | | | |
Class B Common Stock | 696,000 | | | 33.42 | | | |
March 1, 2023 - March 31, 2023 | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock | 2,429,570 | | | 33.72 | | | |
Class B Common Stock | 1,367,329 | | | 31.01 | | | |
Total | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock(d) | 27,481,280 | | | 42.55 | | | |
Class B Common Stock | 2,567,349 | | | 31.48 | | | |
| 30,048,629 | | | | | $ | 2,650 | |
| | | | | |
(a) | The Company has not made any purchases of Common Stock other than in connection with the publicly announced stock repurchase program described below. |
(b) | These amounts exclude any fees, commissions or other costs associated with the share repurchases. |
(c) | The Company’s Board of Directors (“the Board”) previously authorized a stock repurchase program, under which the Company can repurchase $4 billion of Common Stock. In February 2023, the Board authorized incremental stock repurchases of an additional $3 billion of Common Stock. The program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. With this increase, the Company’s total stock repurchase authorization is now $7 billion. |
(d) | In February 2023, in connection with the stock repurchase program, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement in which the Company paid a third-party financial institution $1 billion and received an initial delivery of approximately 22.5 million shares of Class A Common Stock, representing 80% of the shares expected to be repurchased under the ASR agreement, at a price of $35.54 per share (See Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Stock Repurchase Program”). |
In total, the Company repurchased approximately 46 million shares of Common Stock for approximately $1.8 billion during the nine months ended March 31, 2023.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits.
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3.1 | | |
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31.1 | | |
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31.2 | | |
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32.1 | | |
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101 | | The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; (ii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 (unaudited) and June 30, 2022 (audited); (iv) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; (v) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022; and (vi) Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.* |
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104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
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* | Filed herewith. |
+ | This exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
** | Furnished herewith. | | | |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| Fox Corporation (Registrant) |
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| By: | | /s/ Steven Tomsic |
| | | Steven Tomsic |
| | | Chief Financial Officer |
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Date: May 9, 2023 | | | |