NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX; "FOX" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
The Company reported total quarterly revenues of $3.56 billion, an increase of $357 million or 11% from the amount reported in the prior year quarter. Affiliate fee revenues increased 6%, driven by 10% growth at the Television segment and 3% growth at the Cable Network Programming segment. Advertising revenues increased 11%, primarily due to higher political advertising revenues at the FOX Television Stations, continued growth at Tubi, higher ratings and higher pricing in the direct response marketplace at FOX News Media, and the impact of the "Summer of Soccer" at FOX Sports, including the broadcasts of the UEFA European Championship and CONMEBOL Copa América. These were partially offset by the absence of the prior year broadcast of the FIFA Women's World Cup. Other revenues increased 47%, primarily due to higher sports sublicensing revenues at the national sports networks.
The Company reported quarterly net income of $832 million as compared to the $415 million reported in the prior year quarter. The increase includes the change in fair value of the Company's investments recognized in Non-operating other, net. Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders was $827 million ($1.78 per share) as compared to the $407 million ($0.82 per share) reported in the prior year quarter. Adjusted net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders1 was $672 million ($1.45 per share) as compared to the $537 million ($1.09 per share) reported in the prior year quarter.
Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA2 was $1.05 billion, an increase of $179 million or 21% from the amount reported in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the revenue increase noted above, partially offset by higher expenses. The increase in expenses was primarily driven by higher programming rights amortization at FOX Sports and higher costs at Tubi.
Commenting on the results, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer Lachlan Murdoch said:
"Fiscal 2025 is off to a solid start across our portfolio with strong audience growth at FOX News, record political advertising across the company, accelerating revenue growth at Tubi and a compelling start to our fall sports calendar. Collectively these contributions have combined to deliver particularly strong financial results in our fiscal first quarter led by notable top line revenue and earnings growth. Our strategy and our focus are delivering for our audiences, advertising and distribution partners, and the FOX shareholders."
REVIEW OF OPERATING RESULTS | |||
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
$ Millions | |||
Revenues by Component: | |||
Affiliate fee | $ 1,843 | $ 1,740 | |
Advertising | 1,329 | 1,200 | |
Other | 392 | 267 | |
Total revenues | $ 3,564 | $ 3,207 | |
Segment Revenues: | |||
Cable Network Programming | $ 1,597 | $ 1,387 | |
Television | 1,953 | 1,780 | |
Corporate and Other | 65 | 54 | |
Eliminations | (51) | (14) | |
Total revenues | $ 3,564 | $ 3,207 | |
Adjusted EBITDA: | |||
Cable Network Programming | $ 748 | $ 607 | |
Television | 372 | 351 | |
Corporate and Other | (72) | (89) | |
Adjusted EBITDA3 | $ 1,048 | $ 869 | |
Depreciation and amortization: | |||
Cable Network Programming | $ 20 | $ 18 | |
Television | 29 | 29 | |
Corporate and Other | 42 | 49 | |
Total depreciation and amortization | $ 91 | $ 96 | |
CABLE NETWORK PROGRAMMING | |||
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
$ Millions | |||
Revenues | |||
Affiliate fee | $ 1,037 | $ 1,005 | |
Advertising | 321 | 290 | |
Other | 239 | 92 | |
Total revenues | 1,597 | 1,387 | |
Operating expenses | (702) | (649) | |
Selling, general and administrative | (151) | (135) | |
Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | 4 | |
Segment EBITDA | $ 748 | $ 607 | |
Cable Network Programming reported quarterly segment revenues of $1.60 billion, an increase of $210 million or 15% from the amount reported in the prior year quarter. Affiliate fee revenues increased $32 million or 3% as contractual price increases were partially offset by the impact of net subscriber declines. Advertising revenues increased $31 million or 11%, primarily due to higher ratings, higher pricing in the direct response marketplace and higher digital advertising revenues, partially offset by the effect of higher preemptions associated with breaking news coverage at FOX News Media. Other revenues increased $147 million, primarily due to higher sports sublicensing revenues at the national sports networks.
Cable Network Programming reported quarterly segment EBITDA of $748 million, an increase of $141 million or 23% from the amount reported in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the revenue increase noted above, partially offset by higher expenses. The increase in expenses was driven by higher programming rights amortization at the national sports networks and higher newsgathering costs, including costs relating to presidential election cycle coverage, at FOX News Media.
TELEVISION | |||
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
$ Millions | |||
Revenues | |||
Advertising | $ 1,008 | $ 910 | |
Affiliate fee | 806 | 735 | |
Other | 139 | 135 | |
Total revenues | 1,953 | 1,780 | |
Operating expenses | (1,333) | (1,198) | |
Selling, general and administrative | (248) | (231) | |
Segment EBITDA | $ 372 | $ 351 | |
Television reported quarterly segment revenues of $1.95 billion, an increase of $173 million or 10% from the amount reported in the prior year quarter. Advertising revenues increased $98 million or 11%, primarily due to higher political advertising revenues at the FOX Television Stations, continued growth at Tubi, an additional NFL broadcast window, higher NFL ratings and the broadcasts of the UEFA European Championship and CONMEBOL Copa América at FOX Sports. These were partially offset by the absence of the prior year broadcast of the FIFA Women's World Cup. Affiliate fee revenues increased $71 million or 10%, driven by higher average rates at the Company's owned and operated television stations and increases in fees from third-party FOX affiliates. Other revenues increased $4 million or 3%, primarily due to higher third-party content revenues at FOX Entertainment studios.
Television reported quarterly segment EBITDA of $372 million, an increase of $21 million or 6%, primarily due to the revenue increase noted above, partially offset by higher expenses. The increase in expenses was driven by higher sports programming rights amortization, including an additional NFL broadcast window, and higher costs at Tubi.
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
As of September 30, 2024, the Company has repurchased approximately $4.85 billion of its Class A common stock and approximately $1 billion of its Class B common stock, with a remaining authorization of $1.15 billion. During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately $250 million of its Class A common stock.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements in this press release due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological, strategic and/or regulatory factors and other factors affecting the operation of the Company's businesses. More detailed information about these factors is contained in the documents the Company has filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Statements in this press release speak only as of the date they were made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement made in this press release or to report any events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, except as required by law.
To access a copy of this press release through the Internet, access Fox Corporation's corporate website located at http://www.foxcorporation.com.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
$ Millions, except per share amounts | |||
Revenues | $ 3,564 | $ 3,207 | |
Operating expenses | (2,018) | (1,862) | |
Selling, general and administrative | (502) | (480) | |
Depreciation and amortization | (91) | (96) | |
Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters | (26) | 9 | |
Equity earnings of affiliates | 3 | 1 | |
Interest expense, net | (50) | (42) | |
Non-operating other, net | 233 | (176) | |
Income before income tax expense | 1,113 | 561 | |
Income tax expense | (281) | (146) | |
Net income | 832 | 415 | |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (5) | (8) | |
Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ 827 | $ 407 | |
Weighted average shares: | 464 | 494 | |
Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders per share: | $ 1.78 | $ 0.82 | |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||
September 30, | June 30, | ||
$ Millions | |||
Assets: | |||
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 4,052 | $ 4,319 | |
Receivables, net | 2,687 | 2,364 | |
Inventories, net | 795 | 626 | |
Other | 259 | 192 | |
Total current assets | 7,793 | 7,501 | |
Non-current assets: | |||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,685 | 1,696 | |
Intangible assets, net | 3,030 | 3,038 | |
Goodwill | 3,547 | 3,544 | |
Deferred tax assets | 2,772 | 2,878 | |
Other non-current assets | 3,711 | 3,315 | |
Total assets | $ 22,538 | $ 21,972 | |
Liabilities and Equity: | |||
Current liabilities: | |||
Borrowings | $ 600 | $ 599 | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 2,405 | 2,353 | |
Total current liabilities | 3,005 | 2,952 | |
Non-current liabilities: | |||
Borrowings | 6,599 | 6,598 | |
Other liabilities | 1,356 | 1,366 | |
Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 202 | 242 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
Equity: | |||
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value | 2 | 2 | |
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value | 2 | 2 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 7,641 | 7,678 | |
Retained earnings | 3,734 | 3,139 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (103) | (107) | |
Total Fox Corporation stockholders' equity | 11,276 | 10,714 | |
Noncontrolling interests | 100 | 100 | |
Total equity | 11,376 | 10,814 | |
Total liabilities and equity | $ 22,538 | $ 21,972 | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
$ Millions | |||
Operating Activities: | |||
Net income | $ 832 | $ 415 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 91 | 96 | |
Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | 4 | |
Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters | 26 | (9) | |
Equity-based compensation | 34 | 24 | |
Equity earnings of affiliates | (3) | (1) | |
Non-operating other, net | (233) | 176 | |
Deferred income taxes | 103 | 47 | |
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions | |||
Receivables and other assets | (397) | (284) | |
Inventories net of programming payable | (303) | (253) | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (110) | (187) | |
Other changes, net | 114 | (27) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 158 | 1 | |
Investing Activities: | |||
Property, plant and equipment | (64) | (71) | |
Other investing activities, net | (14) | 13 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (78) | (58) | |
Financing Activities: | |||
Repurchase of shares | (250) | (250) | |
Dividends paid and distributions | (131) | (135) | |
Other financing activities, net | 34 | (1) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (347) | (386) | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (267) | (443) | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 4,319 | 4,272 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ 4,052 | $ 3,829 | |
NOTE 1 - ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED EPS
The Company uses net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders and earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders excluding net income effects of Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters, adjustments to Equity earnings (losses) of affiliates, Non-operating other, net, Tax provision and Noncontrolling interest ("Adjusted Net Income" and "Adjusted EPS" respectively) to evaluate the performance of the Company's operations exclusive of certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are not measures of performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as substitutes for, net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders and EPS as reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management uses these measures in comparing the Company's historical performance and believes that they provide meaningful and comparable information to management, investors and equity analysts to assist in their analysis of the Company's performance relative to prior periods and the Company's competitors.
The following table reconciles net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders and EPS attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Three Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | ||||||
Income | EPS | Income | EPS | ||||
$ Millions, except per share data | |||||||
Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ 827 | $ 1.78 | $ 407 | $ 0.82 | |||
Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters | 26 | 0.06 | (9) | (0.02) | |||
Non-operating other, net | (233) | (0.50) | 176 | 0.36 | |||
Tax provision | 52 | 0.11 | (37) | (0.07) | |||
As adjusted | $ 672 | $ 1.45 | $ 537 | $ 1.09 | |||
NOTE 2 - ADJUSTED EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Revenues less Operating expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA does not include: Amortization of cable distribution investments, Depreciation and amortization, Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters, Equity earnings (losses) of affiliates, Interest expense, net, Non-operating other, net and Income tax expense.
Management believes that information about Adjusted EBITDA assists all users of the Company's Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company's portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect Net income, thus providing insight into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results. Adjusted EBITDA provides management, investors and equity analysts a measure to analyze the operating performance of the Company's business and its enterprise value against historical data and competitors' data, although historical results, including Adjusted EBITDA, may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences).
Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items, such as depreciation and amortization and impairment charges, which are significant components in assessing the Company's financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
$ Millions | |||
Net income | $ 832 | $ 415 | |
Add: | |||
Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | 4 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 91 | 96 | |
Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters | 26 | (9) | |
Equity earnings of affiliates | (3) | (1) | |
Interest expense, net | 50 | 42 | |
Non-operating other, net | (233) | 176 | |
Income tax expense | 281 | 146 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 1,048 | $ 869 | |
1 | Excludes net income effects of Restructuring, impairment and other corporate matters, adjustments to Equity earnings (losses) of affiliates, Non-operating other, net, Tax provision and Noncontrolling interest adjustments. See Note 1 for a description of adjusted net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders and adjusted earnings per share attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures, and a reconciliation of reported net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders and earnings per share attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders to adjusted net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders and adjusted earnings per share attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders. |
2 | Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See Note 2 for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA. |
3 | Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See Note 2 for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA. |
SOURCE Fox Corporation
