Annual Statements Open main menu

Fox Corp - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

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)

 

(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      No  

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       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

 

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. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes       No  

As of May 4, 2020, 342,642,286 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 261,078,355 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

 

 


FOX CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

Part I. Financial Information

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 

1

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

2

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 (unaudited) and June 30, 2019 (audited)

3

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

4

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

5

 

 

 

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

26

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

38

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

38

Part II. Other Information

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

39

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

39

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

40

 

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

40

 

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

40

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

40

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

41

 

Signature

42

 

 


 

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,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Revenues

 

$

3,440

 

 

$

2,752

 

 

$

9,885

 

 

$

8,876

 

Operating expenses

 

 

(2,061

)

 

 

(1,660

)

 

 

(6,620

)

 

 

(5,969

)

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

(464

)

 

 

(336

)

 

 

(1,247

)

 

 

(964

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(152

)

Impairment and restructuring charges

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(14

)

Interest expense

 

 

(89

)

 

 

(81

)

 

 

(269

)

 

 

(112

)

Interest income

 

 

8

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

19

 

Other, net

 

 

(632

)

 

 

84

 

 

 

(345

)

 

 

(116

)

Income before income tax expense

 

 

145

 

 

 

706

 

 

 

1,264

 

 

 

1,568

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(55

)

 

 

(167

)

 

 

(347

)

 

 

(390

)

Net income

 

 

90

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

917

 

 

 

1,178

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(40

)

 

 

(37

)

Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders

 

$

78

 

 

$

529

 

 

$

877

 

 

$

1,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

608

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

615

 

 

 

621

 

Diluted

 

 

612

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

619

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

0.85

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

1.84

 

Diluted

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

0.85

 

 

$

1.42

 

 

$

1.84

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

1


 

FOX CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN MILLIONS)

 

 

 

For the three months ended

March 31,

 

 

For the nine months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net income

 

$

90

 

 

$

539

 

 

$

917

 

 

$

1,178

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit plan adjustments

 

 

5

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

5

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

5

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

5

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

95

 

 

 

541

 

 

 

934

 

 

 

1,183

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(a)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(40

)

 

 

(37

)

Comprehensive income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders

 

$

83

 

 

$

531

 

 

$

894

 

 

$

1,146

 

 

(a)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests includes $4 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $16 million and $27 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, relating to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. 

2


 

FOX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

 

As of

March 31,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(audited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,196

 

 

$

3,234

 

Receivables, net

 

 

2,453

 

 

 

1,967

 

Inventories, net

 

 

971

 

 

 

1,129

 

Other

 

 

124

 

 

 

148

 

Total current assets

 

 

6,744

 

 

 

6,478

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

1,386

 

 

 

1,313

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

3,084

 

 

 

2,851

 

Goodwill

 

 

3,089

 

 

 

2,691

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

4,386

 

 

 

4,651

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

1,548

 

 

 

1,525

 

Total assets

 

$

20,237

 

 

$

19,509

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

$

1,780

 

 

$

1,712

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

6,754

 

 

 

6,751

 

Other liabilities

 

 

1,312

 

 

 

899

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

258

 

 

 

189

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock(a)

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

Class B common stock(b)

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

9,810

 

 

 

9,891

 

Retained earnings

 

 

589

 

 

 

357

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(291

)

 

 

(308

)

Total Fox Corporation stockholders' equity

 

 

10,114

 

 

 

9,947

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

19

 

 

 

11

 

Total equity

 

 

10,133

 

 

 

9,958

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

20,237

 

 

$

19,509

 

 

(a)

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 342,640,682 shares and 354,422,419 shares issued and outstanding at par as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

(b)

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 261,078,355 shares and 266,173,651 shares issued and outstanding at par as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


 

FOX CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN MILLIONS)

 

 

 

For the nine months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

917

 

 

$

1,178

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

164

 

 

 

152

 

Amortization of cable distribution investments

 

 

19

 

 

 

29

 

Impairment and restructuring charges

 

 

9

 

 

 

14

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

101

 

 

 

5

 

Other, net

 

 

345

 

 

 

116

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

255

 

 

 

322

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables and other assets

 

 

(299

)

 

 

(196

)

Inventories net of program rights payable

 

 

167

 

 

 

137

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities

 

 

(333

)

 

 

(133

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

1,345

 

 

 

1,624

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

(192

)

 

 

(147

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(611

)

 

 

-

 

Sale of investments

 

 

349

 

 

 

-

 

Purchase of investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

(100

)

Other investing activities, net

 

 

57

 

 

 

(64

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(397

)

 

 

(311

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

-

 

 

 

6,750

 

Net transfers to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,233

)

Net dividend paid to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.

 

 

-

 

 

 

(6,500

)

Repurchase of shares

 

 

(600

)

 

 

-

 

Dividends paid and distributions

 

 

(321

)

 

 

(33

)

Other financing activities, net

 

 

(65

)

 

 

21

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(986

)

 

 

(995

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(38

)

 

 

318

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

 

3,234

 

 

 

2,500

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

3,196

 

 

$

2,818

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

4


 

FOX CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(IN MILLIONS)

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

Class B

 

 

Twenty-First Century

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other

 

 

Total Fox Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Fox, Inc.

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Investment

 

 

Capital

 

 

Earnings

 

 

(Loss) Income

 

 

Equity

 

 

Interests(a)

 

 

Equity

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

 

347

 

 

$

3

 

 

 

264

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

9,849

 

 

$

775

 

 

$

(296

)

 

$

10,334

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

10,353

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

86

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5

 

Dividends declared

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(139

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(139

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(139

)

Shares repurchased

 

 

(4

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(79

)

 

 

(94

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(173

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(173

)

Other

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

(31

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

1

 

Balance, March 31, 2020

 

 

343

 

 

$

3

 

 

 

261

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

9,810

 

 

$

589

 

 

$

(291

)

 

$

10,114

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

10,133

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

10,596

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(202

)

 

$

10,394

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

10,406

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

424

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

529

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

533

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2

 

Other

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(26

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(31

)

Net decrease in Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. investment

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,285

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14

)

(b)

 

(2,299

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,299

)

Conversion of Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. investment

 

 

354

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

266

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(8,708

)

 

 

8,701

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Balance, March 31, 2019

 

 

354

 

 

$

4

 

 

 

266

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

8,706

 

 

$

101

 

 

$

(214

)

 

$

8,600

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

8,611

 

Balance, June 30, 2019

 

 

354

 

 

$

4

 

 

 

266

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

9,891

 

 

$

357

 

 

$

(308

)

 

$

9,947

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

9,958

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

877

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

877

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

901

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

17

 

Dividends declared

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(282

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(282

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(282

)

Shares repurchased

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(273

)

 

 

(326

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(600

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(600

)

Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

192

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

139

 

Balance, March 31, 2020

 

 

343

 

 

$

3

 

 

 

261

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

9,810

 

 

$

589

 

 

$

(291

)

 

$

10,114

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

10,133

 

Balance, June 30, 2018

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

9,513

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

81

 

 

$

9,594

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

9,594

 

Adoption of new accounting standards(c)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(143

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,036

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,141

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

1,151

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5

 

Other

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

137

 

Net decrease in Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. investment

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,119

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(157

)

(b)

 

(2,276

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,276

)

Conversion of Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. investment

 

 

354

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

266

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(8,708

)

 

 

8,701

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Balance, March 31, 2019

 

 

354

 

 

$

4

 

 

 

266

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

8,706

 

 

$

101

 

 

$

(214

)

 

$

8,600

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

8,611

 

 

 

(a)

Excludes Redeemable noncontrolling interests which are reflected in temporary equity (See Note 4—Fair Value under the heading “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests”).

(b)

Represents accumulated other comprehensive loss transferred from Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. investment related to the pension and postretirement benefit assets and liabilities of the Shared Plans (See Note 14—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2019).

(c)

Reflects the adoption of ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-02 as defined in Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2019 under the heading “Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Guidance and U.S. Tax Reform.”

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5


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.

The Distribution

On March 19, 2019, the Company became a standalone publicly traded company through the pro rata distribution by Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (now known as TFCF Corporation) (“21CF”) of all of the issued and outstanding common stock of FOX to 21CF stockholders (other than holders that were subsidiaries of 21CF) (the “Distribution”) in accordance with the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 20, 2018, by and between 21CF and 21CF Distribution Merger Sub, Inc. Following the Distribution, 354 million and 266 million shares of the Company’s 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”), respectively, began trading independently on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”). In connection with the Distribution, the Company entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2019 (the “Separation Agreement”), with 21CF, which effected the internal restructuring (the “Separation”) whereby 21CF transferred to FOX a portfolio of 21CF’s news, sports and broadcast businesses, including FOX News Media (consisting of FOX News and FOX Business), FOX Entertainment, FOX Sports, FOX Television Stations, and sports cable networks FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes and Big Ten Network, and certain other assets, and FOX assumed from 21CF the liabilities associated with such businesses and certain other liabilities. The Separation and the Distribution were effected as part of a series of transactions contemplated by the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 20, 2018, by and among 21CF, The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) and certain subsidiaries of Disney, pursuant to which, among other things, 21CF became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney.

In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into several agreements that govern certain aspects of the Company’s relationship with 21CF and Disney following the Separation. These include the Separation Agreement, a tax matters agreement, a transition services agreement, as well as agreements relating to intellectual property licenses, employee matters, commercial arrangements and a studio lot lease (See Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2019 Form 10-K, as defined below, for further discussion).

Basis of Presentation

The 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, 2020, due to, among other things, the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) on the Company’s business.

The impact of COVID-19 and measures to prevent its spread are affecting the macroeconomic environment, as well as the business of the Company, in a number of ways. For example, while the Company’s national news ratings remain strong, sporting events for which the Company has broadcast rights have been cancelled or postponed, the production of certain entertainment content the Company acquires has been suspended and demand in local advertising markets has declined. The magnitude of the impacts will depend on the duration and extent of COVID-19 and the effect of governmental actions, consumer behavior and actions taken by the Company’s business partners in response to the pandemic and such governmental actions. The evolving and uncertain nature of this situation makes it challenging for the Company to estimate the future performance of its businesses, particularly over the near to medium term, including the supply and demand for its services, its cash flows and its current and future advertising revenue. However, the impact of COVID-19 could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations over the near to medium term.

6


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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. A significant decline in estimated advertising revenue or the expected popularity of the Company’s programming could lead to a downward revision in the fair value of, among other things, the Company’s reporting units, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets and result in an impairment and a non-cash charge that is material to the Company’s reported net earnings. An impairment did not exist as of March 31, 2020. The Company will perform its annual impairment review during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. In addition, the recoverability of national sports contracts is based on the Company’s best estimates at March 31, 2020 of attributable revenues and costs; such estimates may change in the future and such changes may be significant. Should revenues decline materially from estimates applied at March 31, 2020, amortization of rights may be accelerated.

These interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated and combined financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”).

The Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019 are presented on a consolidated basis. The Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 reflect the Company’s results of operations and cash flows as a standalone company, and the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019 consist of the Company’s consolidated balances.

Prior to the Distribution, which occurred on March 19, 2019, the Company’s combined financial statements were derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements and accounting records of 21CF. The Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019 include, for the periods prior to March 19, 2019, allocations for certain support functions that were provided on a centralized basis within 21CF prior to the Distribution and not recorded at the business unit level, such as certain expenses related to finance, legal, insurance, information technology, compliance and human resources management activities, among others. 21CF did not routinely allocate these costs to any of its business units. These expenses were allocated to FOX on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of combined revenues, headcount or other relevant measures. Management believes the assumptions underlying the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses from 21CF, are reasonable. Nevertheless, the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by FOX and may not reflect FOX’s consolidated results of operations and cash flows had it been a standalone company during the entirety of the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if FOX had been a standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure.

For purposes of the Company’s financial statements for the period prior to the Distribution, the income tax provision in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations was calculated as if FOX filed a separate tax return and was operating as a standalone business. Therefore, cash tax payments and items of current and deferred taxes may not be reflective of FOX’s actual tax balances prior to or subsequent to the Distribution. Prior to the Distribution, the Company’s operating results were included in 21CF’s consolidated U.S. federal and state income tax returns.

7


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Intercompany transactions with 21CF or its affiliates and the Company are reflected in the historical Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the period prior to the Distribution. All significant intracompany 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%. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 321 “Investments—Equity Securities” (“ASC 321”), 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 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 of each year. Certain fiscal 2019 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2020 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. The unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows are referred to as the “Statements of Cash Flows” herein.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Guidance and the CARES Act

Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“Topic 842”), as amended. Topic 842 requires recognition of lease liabilities and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets on the balance sheet and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. On July 1, 2019, the Company adopted Topic 842 on a modified retrospective basis and recorded operating lease liabilities and ROU assets of approximately $635 million and $585 million, respectively, at the date of adoption (See Note 7—Leases). The difference between the Company’s initial recognition of operating lease liabilities and ROU assets, at the date of adoption, was primarily a result of the reclassification of the deferred rent liability. The adoption of Topic 842 did not have a significant impact on the Statements of Operations. In accordance with the guidance in Topic 842, the Company elected not to reassess (i) whether any existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) lease classification for existing leases or (iii) capitalization of initial direct costs for existing leases.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). The objective of ASU 2017-04 is to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. Under previous GAAP, entities were required to test goodwill for impairment using a two-step approach. Under the amendments in ASU 2017-04, an entity performs its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have an effect on the Company’s Financial Statements.

CARES Act

In March 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferral of the employer portion of certain payroll taxes, net operating loss carryback periods, modifications to net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The Company does not expect the impact of these changes on the Company’s financial statements will be material.

NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSALS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS

The transactions described below support the Company’s strategy to strengthen its core brands and leverage its sports broadcasting rights and expand their reach beyond their traditional linear businesses.

8


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Acquisitions and Disposals

Tubi Acquisition

In April 2020, the Company acquired Tubi, Inc. (“Tubi”), a leading free ad-supported streaming service, for approximately $445 million in net cash consideration at closing (the “Tubi Acquisition”). Potential additional consideration in the form of deferred consideration and unvested options totaling approximately $45 million may be due over a three-year period following the closing of the transaction. The Company financed the Tubi Acquisition principally with the net proceeds from the sale of its investment in Roku, Inc. (“Roku”) discussed below.

Television Stations Acquisition and Divestiture

In March 2020, the Company acquired three television stations (FOX-affiliate KCPQ and MyNetworkTV-affiliate KZJO located in Seattle, Washington and FOX-affiliate WITI located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) for approximately $350 million in cash from Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (“Nexstar”). As part of this transaction, the Company sold Nexstar two television stations (FOX-affiliate WJZY and MyNetworkTV-affiliate WMYT located in Charlotte, North Carolina) for approximately $45 million in cash. The consideration transferred of approximately $350 million for the stations the Company acquired has been preliminarily allocated, based on a provisional valuation, as follows: approximately $210 million to intangible assets, of which approximately $110 million has been allocated to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses with indefinite lives and approximately $100 million to amortizable intangible assets, primarily retransmission agreements with useful lives of approximately eight years; approximately $30 million to property, plant and equipment; and the balance to the goodwill on the transaction. The estimated goodwill, which is tax deductible, reflects the increased synergies and market penetration expected from combining the operations of the three television stations with those of the Company.

Credible Acquisition

In October 2019, the Company acquired 67% of the equity in Credible Labs Inc. (“Credible”), a U.S. consumer finance marketplace, for approximately A$390 million (approximately $260 million) in cash (the “Credible Acquisition”), net of cash acquired. The remaining 33% of Credible not owned by the Company has been recorded at fair value on the acquisition date based on the Company’s valuation of Credible’s business using a market approach (a Level 3 measurement as defined in Note 4—Fair Value). The consideration transferred of approximately $260 million has been preliminarily allocated, based on a provisional valuation of 100% of Credible, as follows: approximately $70 million to intangible assets with useful lives ranging from five to 10 years; approximately $285 million representing goodwill on the transaction; approximately $(110) million to redeemable noncontrolling interests and the remainder to other net assets. The estimated goodwill, which is not tax deductible, reflects the increased market penetration and synergies expected from combining the operations of Credible and the Company.

In addition, the Company has agreed to contribute up to $75 million of capital to Credible over approximately two years following the closing of the Credible Acquisition.

Other Transactions

Roku

In March 2020, the Company sold its investment in Roku for approximately $340 million. The Company recorded losses of approximately $470 million and $210 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, related to changes in the fair value of its investment in Roku prior to disposition, which were recorded in Other, net in the Statements of Operations (See Note 14—Additional Financial Information).

9


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Stars Group

In May 2019, the Company and The Stars Group Inc. (“The Stars Group”) announced plans to launch FOX Bet, a national media and sports wagering partnership in the U.S., which was launched in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. FOX Sports and The Stars Group have entered into a long-term commercial arrangement through which FOX Sports provides The Stars Group with an exclusive license to use certain FOX Sports trademarks. Prior to the tenth anniversary of the commercial agreement, and subject to certain conditions and applicable gaming regulatory approvals, FOX Sports has an option to acquire up to 50% of the equity in The Stars Group’s U.S. business. In addition, the Company invested $236 million to acquire a 4.99% equity interest in The Stars Group. The common shares issued to the Company are subject to certain transfer restrictions for a period ending in May 2021, subject to customary exceptions. The Company accounts for the investment in The Stars Group at fair value (See Note 4—Fair Value).

In October 2019, Flutter Entertainment plc (“Flutter”) and The Stars Group announced that they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended all-share combination to create a global leader in sports betting and gaming (the “Combination”) and, in early May 2020, the Combination was completed. As part of the agreement, FOX Sports received the right to acquire an approximately 18.5% equity interest in FanDuel Group, a majority-owned subsidiary of Flutter, at its market value in 2021 (structured as a 10-year option from 2021, subject to a carrying value adjustment).

Caffeine and Caffeine Studios

In fiscal 2019, the Company invested, in the aggregate, approximately $100 million in cash for a minority equity interest in Caffeine, Inc. (“Caffeine”), a social broadcasting platform for gaming, entertainment and other creative content, and Caffeine Studio, LLC (“Caffeine Studios”), a newly formed venture that is jointly owned by the Company and Caffeine. The Company accounts for the investments in Caffeine using the measurement alternative in accordance with ASC 321 and Caffeine Studios using the equity method.

NOTE 3. INVENTORIES, NET

The Company’s inventories were comprised of the following:

 

 

 

As of

March 31,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Sports programming rights

 

$

745

 

 

$

954

 

Entertainment programming rights

 

 

465

 

 

 

380

 

Total inventories, net

 

 

1,210

 

 

 

1,334

 

Less: current portion of inventories, net

 

 

(971

)

 

 

(1,129

)

Total non-current inventories, net

 

$

239

 

 

$

205

 

 

NOTE 4. FAIR VALUE

In accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” 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”).

10


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following tables present information about financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

 

 

Fair value measurements

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2020

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in equity securities

 

$

256

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

256

(a)

 

$

-

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

(6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(6)

(b)

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

(258

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(258)

(b)

Total

 

$

(8

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

256

 

 

$

(264)

 

 

 

 

Fair value measurements

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2019

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in equity securities

 

$

761

 

 

$

545

(c)

 

$

216

(a)

 

$

-

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

(189

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(189)

(b)

Total

 

$

572

 

 

$

545

 

 

$

216

 

 

$

(189)

 

 

(a)

The investment categorized as Level 2 represents an investment in equity securities of The Stars Group estimated using the quoted market price of The Stars Group common stock less a discount due to a lack of marketability (“DLOM”). The DLOM was derived based on the remaining term of the lock up period and the volatility of The Stars Group common stock (See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions under the heading “The Stars Group” for further discussion).

(b)

The Company utilizes the market approach valuation technique 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 liability. Examples of utilized unobservable inputs are future cash flows and long-term growth rates.

(c)

The investment categorized as Level 1 represents an investment in equity securities of Roku with a readily determinable fair value, which was sold in March 2020 (See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions under the heading “Roku” for further discussion).

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The Company accounts for redeemable noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC 480-10-S99-3A, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” because their exercise is outside the control of the Company. The redeemable noncontrolling interests recorded at fair value are put rights held by minority shareholders in a majority-owned sports network and Credible.

11


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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,

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

Beginning of period

 

$

(216

)

 

$

(106

)

 

$

(189

)

 

$

(275

)

 

Acquisitions(a)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(109

)

 

 

-

 

 

Net income

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(27

)

 

Distributions

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

25

 

 

Accretion and other

 

 

(44

)

 

 

(30

)

 

 

37

 

(b)

 

141

 

(b)

End of period

 

$

(258

)

 

$

(136

)

 

$

(258

)

 

$

(136

)

 

 

(a)

See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions under the heading “Credible Acquisition.”

(b)

As a result of the expiration of a portion of the put rights held by the sports network minority shareholder during the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, approximately $120 million and $200 million, respectively, was reclassified into equity.

Another portion of the put rights held by the sports network minority shareholder will become exercisable in July 2020 and the remaining portion will become exercisable in July 2021. The put right held by the Credible minority shareholder will become exercisable in fiscal year 2025.

Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and investments accounted for using the measurement alternative in accordance with ASC 321, approximates fair value.

 

 

 

As of

March 31,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

$

7,568

 

 

$

7,643

 

Carrying value

 

$

6,754

 

 

$

6,751

 

 

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).

12


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 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, 2020 and June 30, 2019, the Company had no individual customers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s receivables.

NOTE 5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

The changes in the carrying values of the Company’s intangible assets and related accumulated amortization were as follows:

 

 

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FCC

licenses

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

Amortizable

intangible

assets, net(a)

 

 

Total

intangible

assets,

net

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Balance, June 30, 2019

 

$

2,167

 

 

$

642

 

 

$

2,809

 

 

$

42

 

 

$

2,851

 

Acquisitions(b)

 

 

113

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

113

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

284

 

Disposals(b)

 

 

(30

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(30

)

Amortization

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(21

)

Balance, March 31, 2020

 

$

2,250

 

 

$

642

 

 

$

2,892

 

 

$

192

 

 

$

3,084

 

 

(a)

Net of accumulated amortization of $150 million and $129 million as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. The average useful life of amortizable intangible assets ranges from five to 20 years.

(b)

See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions under the heading “Acquisitions and Disposals.”

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by segment, are as follows:

 

 

 

Cable

Network

Programming

 

 

Television

 

 

Other,

Corporate

and

Eliminations

 

 

Total

Goodwill

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Balance, June 30, 2019

 

$

987

 

 

$

1,704

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2,691

 

Acquisitions(a)

 

 

45

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

409

 

Disposals(a)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(11

)

Balance, March 31, 2020

 

$

1,032

 

 

$

1,835

 

 

$

222

 

 

$

3,089

 

 

(a)

See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions under the heading “Acquisitions and Disposals.”

NOTE 6. BORROWINGS

Senior Notes Issued

In April 2020, the Company issued $600 million of 3.05% senior notes due 2025 and $600 million of 3.50% senior notes due 2030.

In January 2019, the Company issued $6.8 billion of senior notes (See Note 9—Borrowings in the 2019 Form 10-K under the heading “Senior Notes Issued Under the January 2019 Indenture”).

13


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Revolving Credit Agreement

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 2019 Form 10-K under the heading “Revolving Credit Agreement”). In April 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the credit agreement, which, among other things, deducts cash in excess of $500 million from indebtedness for purposes of calculating the operating income leverage ratio under the agreement. As of March 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit agreement.

NOTE 7. LEASES

Lessee Arrangements

The Company has lease agreements primarily for office facilities, transponder agreements and other equipment leases. At contract inception, the Company determines if a contract is or contains a lease and whether it is an operating or finance lease. The Company does not separate lease components from nonlease components for real estate leases.

For operating leases that have a lease term of greater than one year, the Company initially recognizes operating lease liabilities and ROU assets at the lease commencement date, which is the date that the lessor makes an underlying asset available for use by the Company. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the present value of the Company’s obligation to make lease payments, primarily escalating fixed payments, over the lease term. The discount rate used to determine the present value of the lease payments is generally the Company’s incremental borrowing rate because the rate implicit in the lease is generally not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate for the lease term is determined by adjusting the Company’s unsecured borrowing rate for a similar term to approximate a collateralized borrowing rate. The Company's lease terms for each of its leases represents the noncancelable period for which the Company has the right to use an underlying asset, together with all of the following: (i) periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (ii) periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the Company is reasonably certain not to exercise that option; and (iii) periods covered by an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the lessor. The Company recognizes lease payments as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company’s operating ROU assets are included in Other non-current assets and the Company’s current and non-current operating lease liabilities are included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other liabilities, respectively, in the Company’s Balance Sheet (See Note 14—Additional Financial Information).

The following amounts were recorded in the Company’s Balance Sheet relating to its operating leases and other supplemental information:

 

 

As of March 31, 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

ROU assets

$

531

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

 

Current lease liabilities

$

134

 

Non-current lease liabilities

 

431

 

Total lease liabilities

$

565

 

Other supplemental information

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term

7 years

 

Weighted average discount rate

 

3

%

 

14


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s lease costs and supplemental cash flows information for leases:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020

 

 

For the nine months ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Lease costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total lease costs(a)

 

$

34

 

 

$

95

 

Supplemental cash flows information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

$

43

 

 

$

124

 

ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities(b)

 

$

33

 

 

$

45

 

 

(a)

Total lease costs of $34 million and $95 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, are net of sublease income of approximately $15 million and $40 million, respectively.

(b)

Primarily related to leases obtained through the Company’s acquisitions (See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions under the heading “Acquisitions and Disposals”).

The following table presents the lease payments relating to the Company’s operating leases:

 

 

As of March 31, 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

2020

$

41

 

2021

 

132

 

2022

 

93

 

2023

 

91

 

2024

 

87

 

Thereafter

 

207

 

Total lease payments(a)

 

651

 

Less: imputed interest

 

(86

)

Present value of operating lease liabilities

$

565

 

 

(a)

In addition to the total lease payments presented above, the Company has a lease for an office facility with total lease payments of approximately $55 million that has not yet commenced as of March 31, 2020.

Lessor Arrangements

The Company’s lessor arrangements primarily relate to its owned production and office facilities at the FOX Studios lot, which is located in Los Angeles, California. The Company is responsible for the management of the FOX Studios lot, which includes managing and providing facilities, studio operations, and production services, which until 2026 will predominantly be utilized by Disney productions. The Company leases production and office space on the FOX Studios lot to 21CF for an initial term of seven years, subject to two five-year renewal options exercisable by 21CF. The Company will receive approximately $50 million annually in lease payments over the lease term.

The Company recorded total lease income of approximately $15 million and $40 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, which is included in Revenues in the Statements of Operations. The Company recognizes lease payments for operating leases as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments as revenue in the period incurred.

15


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Repurchase Program

On November 6, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized a stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of $2 billion of the Company’s Common Stock. The program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The Company also announced that it had entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement to repurchase $350 million of Class A Common Stock and announced its intention to promptly repurchase $150 million of Class B Common Stock.

In accordance with the ASR agreement in November 2019, the Company paid a third-party financial institution $350 million and received an initial delivery of approximately eight million shares of Class A Common Stock, representing 80% of the shares expected to be repurchased under the ASR agreement, at a price of $34.99 per share, which was the Nasdaq closing share price of the Class A Common Stock on November 11, 2019. Upon settlement of the ASR agreement in January 2020, the Company received a final delivery of approximately two million shares of Class A Common Stock. The final number of shares purchased under the ASR agreement was determined using a price of $36.05 per share (the volume-weighted average market price of the Class A Common Stock 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 was 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, 2020, the Company repurchased approximately two million and five million shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively, for $72 million and $178 million, respectively, in the open market.

In total, the Company repurchased approximately 17 million shares of Common Stock for $600 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2020.

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, 2020, the Company’s remaining stock repurchase authorization was approximately $1.4 billion.

Stockholders Agreement

The Company also announced on November 6, 2019 that it had entered into a stockholders agreement with the Murdoch Family Trust pursuant to which the Company and the Murdoch Family Trust have agreed not to take actions that would result in the Murdoch Family Trust and Murdoch family members together owning more than 44% of the outstanding voting power of the shares of Class B Common Stock or would increase the Murdoch Family Trust’s voting power by more than 1.75% in any rolling twelve-month period. The Murdoch Family Trust would forfeit votes to the extent necessary to ensure that the Murdoch Family Trust and the Murdoch family collectively do not exceed 44% of the outstanding voting power of the Class B shares, except where a Murdoch family member votes their own shares differently from the Murdoch Family Trust on any matter.

Temporary Stockholder Rights Plan

In connection with the Distribution, the Board approved the adoption of a Temporary Stockholder Rights Agreement (as amended, the “Rights Agreement”), effective March 19, 2019 (See Note 10—Stockholders’ Equity in the 2019 Form 10-K under the heading “Temporary Stockholder Rights Plan”). In November 2019, the rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement expired in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

16


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash dividend per share

 

$

0.23

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

-

 

 

The Company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.23 per share on both the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2020, which was paid in April 2020 to stockholders of record on March 4, 2020.

NOTE 9. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

In connection with the Distribution, the Company adopted the Fox Corporation 2019 Shareholder Alignment Plan (the “SAP”), under which equity-based compensation, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance stock units (“PSUs”) and other types of FOX equity awards may be granted. The Company’s officers, directors and employees are eligible to participate in the SAP. 

Performance Stock Units

PSUs are fair valued on the date of grant and expensed over the service period using a straight-line method as the awards cliff vest at the end of the three-year performance period. The Company also estimates the number of shares expected to vest which is based on management’s determination of the probable outcome of the performance conditions, which requires considerable judgment. The Company records a cumulative adjustment in periods that the Company’s estimate of the number of shares expected to vest changes. Additionally, the Company ultimately adjusts the expense recognized to reflect the actual vested shares following the resolution of the performance conditions. The number of shares that will be issued upon vesting of PSUs can range from 0% to 200% of the target award, based on (i) the Company’s average annual adjusted earnings per share growth, (ii) the Company’s average annual adjusted free cash flow growth and (iii) the Company’s three-year total shareholder return (“TSR”) as measured against the three-year TSR of the companies that comprise the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index. The fair value of the TSR condition is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, approximately 1.4 million PSUs were granted, which have a three-year performance measurement period beginning in July 2019. The awards are subject to the achievement of three pre-established objective performance measures determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”). The awards issued will be settled in shares of Class A Common Stock upon vesting and are subject to the participants’ continued employment with the Company. Any person who holds PSUs shall have no ownership interest in the shares of Class A Common Stock to which such PSUs relate until and unless shares of Class A Common Stock are delivered to the holder. All shares of Class A Common Stock awards that are cancelled or forfeited become available for future grants. Certain of these awards have a graded vesting provision and the expense recognition is accelerated.

Restricted Stock Units

During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, approximately 1.1 million RSUs were granted, which vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period subject to the participants’ continued employment with the Company.

In March 2019, in connection with the Distribution, the Compensation Committee granted approximately 2.4 million RSUs under the SAP, which will primarily vest in two tranches. Approximately 50% of the RSUs will vest on June 15, 2020 and the remaining RSUs will vest on June 15, 2021, in each case, subject to a service requirement through the vesting dates.

Stock Options

During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, approximately 3.8 million stock options were granted, which generally have a term of seven years and vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period subject to the participants’ continued employment with the Company.

17


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In March 2019, in connection with the Distribution, the Compensation Committee granted approximately 3.1 million stock options under the SAP. The stock options will vest 50% on June 15, 2020 and 50% on June 15, 2021, in each case, subject to a service requirement through the vesting dates.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had approximately 7 million stock options outstanding. For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, the computation of diluted earnings per share did not include most of the stock options outstanding during these periods, because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.

The following table summarizes the Company’s equity-based compensation:

 

 

 

For the three months ended

March 31,

 

 

For the nine months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Equity-based compensation(a)

 

$

41

 

 

$

38

 

 

$

115

 

 

$

71

 

Intrinsic value of all settled equity-based awards

 

$

2

 

 

$

130

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

240

 

 

(a)

Prior to the Distribution, equity-based compensation included allocated expense for both executive directors and corporate executives of 21CF, allocated using a proportional allocation driver, which management deemed to be reasonable.

The Company’s stock based awards are settled in Class A Common Stock. As of March 31, 2020, the Company’s total estimated compensation cost, not yet recognized, related to non-vested equity awards held by the Company’s employees was approximately $165 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period between one and two years.

NOTE 10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FOX, INC. INVESTMENT

Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into transactions with related parties, which prior to the Distribution included subsidiaries and equity affiliates of 21CF.

The following table sets forth the net revenue from related parties included in the Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019

 

 

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Related party revenue

 

$

111

 

 

$

289

 

Related party expense

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(67

)

Related party revenue, net of expense

 

$

78

 

 

$

222

 

 

For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, the related party revenue and expense were not material.

18


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Corporate Allocations and Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Investment

Prior to the Distribution, 21CF provided services to and funded certain expenses for the Company such as: global real estate and occupancy costs and employee benefits (“Direct Corporate Expenses”). In addition, the Company’s Financial Statements include, for the periods prior to March 19, 2019, general corporate expenses of 21CF which were not historically allocated to the Company for certain support functions that were provided on a centralized basis within 21CF prior to the Distribution and not recorded at the business unit level, such as certain expenses related to finance, legal, insurance, information technology, compliance and human resources management activities, among others (“General Corporate Expenses”). For purposes of the Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019, the General Corporate Expenses were allocated to the Company. The General Corporate Expenses were included in the Statements of Operations in Selling, general and administrative expenses and Other, net, as appropriate. These expenses were allocated to the Company on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of combined revenues, headcount or other relevant measures of the Company. Management believes the assumptions underlying the Financial Statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating General Corporate Expenses from 21CF are reasonable. Nevertheless, the Financial Statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by FOX and may not reflect the Company’s consolidated results of operations and cash flows had it been a standalone company prior to the Distribution. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. For the purposes of the Statements of Operations, the Company recorded approximately $100 million and $270 million of General Corporate Expenses within Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, and the remaining balance of the Corporate allocations presented in the table below within Other, net for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019.

Intercompany transactions with 21CF or its affiliates and the Company are reflected in the historical Financial Statements for the period prior to the Distribution. All significant intercompany balances between 21CF and the Company for the period prior to the Distribution have been reflected in the Statement of Cash Flows as a financing activity.

The following table summarizes the components of the net decrease in the Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. investment for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019

 

 

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Cash pooling, general financing activities and other(a)

 

$

(1,523

)

 

$

(1,537

)

Corporate allocations

 

 

111

 

 

 

291

 

Net dividend paid to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.

 

 

(6,500

)

 

 

(6,500

)

Taxes payable(b)

 

 

593

 

 

 

593

 

Deferred taxes on step-up(c)

 

 

5,515

 

 

 

5,515

 

Other deferred taxes(c)

 

 

(481

)

 

 

(481

)

Net decrease in Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. investment

 

$

(2,285

)

 

$

(2,119

)

 

(a)

The nature of activities included in the line item ‘Cash pooling, general financing activities and other’ includes financing activities, capital transfers, cash sweeps, other treasury services and Direct Corporate Expenses.

(b)

For purposes of the Company’s financial statements for the periods prior to the Distribution, the income tax expense in the Statements of Operations has been calculated as if FOX filed a separate tax return and was operating as a standalone business. This amount represents the difference between the separate tax return methodology and the actual tax liabilities attributed to the Company, in accordance with applicable tax law, as of the date of the Distribution.

(c)

As a result of the Separation and the Distribution, FOX obtained an additional tax basis in its assets equal to their respective fair market values. These amounts represent the additional estimated deferred tax asset recorded as a result of the increased tax basis (See Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2019 Form 10-K under the heading “Basis of Presentation”) and other deferred tax adjustments recorded as of the date of the Distribution.

19


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 11. 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, 2020 and June 30, 2019 were approximately $37 billion and $41 billion, respectively. The decrease from June 30, 2019 was primarily due to sports programming rights payments.

Contingencies

Profits Participants Litigation

In November 2015, Wark Entertainment, Inc., Temperance Brennan, L.P., Snooker Doodle Productions, Inc., and Bertha Blue, Inc. filed lawsuits against 21CF, Fox Entertainment Group, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Television (“TCFTV”), and Fox Broadcasting Corporation in the Superior Court of Los Angeles. The plaintiffs were profits participants in the Bones television series and alleged that TCFTV, which produced the show, breached its contracts with the plaintiffs and committed fraud concerning certain of those contracts, and that 21CF, Fox Entertainment Group, and Fox Broadcasting Corporation induced TCFTV’s breach of contract and intentionally interfered with the plaintiffs’ contracts with TCFTV. During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, the parties amicably resolved the lawsuits, and the Company contributed $34 million pursuant to a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs and Disney as successor to 21CF, Fox Entertainment Group, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, and TCFTV. During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, Disney reached an amicable settlement with an additional profits participant who came forward. The Company’s portion of this settlement is approximately $20 million.

Profits participation litigation is subject to uncertainty and it is possible that there could be adverse developments in pending or future cases that could involve a FOX subsidiary. As of March 31, 2020, the Company does not believe that it has incurred a probable material loss for any other activities.

FOX News

The Company and certain of its current and former employees have been subject to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination and racial discrimination relating to alleged misconduct at the Company’s FOX News business. 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 individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company. The amount of 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 21CF and News Corporation in June 2013, 21CF agreed to indemnify News Corporation, on an after-tax basis, for payments made after the 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, 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, certain costs and liabilities related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity were assumed by the Company. The liability recorded in the Balance Sheets related to the indemnity was approximately $65 million and $50 million as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

20


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Other

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 above 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.

The Company’s operations are subject to tax 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) 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 requires 21CF and/or Disney 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 12. 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 group covered by collective bargaining agreements. The net periodic benefit cost was $14 million and $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $41 million and $40 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

NOTE 13. 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 principally consists of the production and licensing of news and sports content distributed primarily through traditional cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and telecommunication companies (“traditional MVPDs”), and online multi-channel video programming distributors (“digital MVPDs”), primarily in the U.S.

 

Television, which principally consists of the acquisition, marketing and distribution of broadcast network programming nationally under the FOX brand and the operation of 29 full power broadcast television stations, including 11 duopolies, in the U.S. Of these stations, 18 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 corporate overhead costs, intracompany eliminations, the FOX Studios lot and Credible. The FOX Studios 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.

21


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Beginning with the announcement of the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company has renamed as “Segment EBITDA” the measure that it previously referred to as “Segment OIBDA.” The definition of this measure has not changed: 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, Interest income, 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, 2020 and 2019:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable Network Programming

 

$

1,467

 

 

$

1,383

 

 

$

4,221

 

 

$

4,082

 

Television

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

1,370

 

 

 

5,548

 

 

 

4,796

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

47

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

116

 

 

 

(2

)

Total revenues

 

$

3,440

 

 

$

2,752

 

 

$

9,885

 

 

$

8,876

 

Segment EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable Network Programming

 

$

792

 

 

$

741

 

 

$

2,032

 

 

$

1,893

 

Television

 

 

224

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

256

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

(96

)

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(256

)

 

 

(177

)

Amortization of cable distribution investments

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(29

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(152

)

Impairment and restructuring charges

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(14

)

Interest expense

 

 

(89

)

 

 

(81

)

 

 

(269

)

 

 

(112

)

Interest income

 

 

8

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

19

 

Other, net

 

 

(632

)

 

 

84

 

 

 

(345

)

 

 

(116

)

Income before income tax expense

 

 

145

 

 

 

706

 

 

 

1,264

 

 

 

1,568

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(55

)

 

 

(167

)

 

 

(347

)

 

 

(390

)

Net income

 

 

90

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

917

 

 

 

1,178

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(40

)

 

 

(37

)

Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders

 

$

78

 

 

$

529

 

 

$

877

 

 

$

1,141

 

 

22


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Revenues by Segment by Component

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Cable Network Programming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliate fee

 

$

1,006

 

 

$

968

 

 

$

2,902

 

 

$

2,845

 

Advertising

 

 

304

 

 

 

276

 

 

 

895

 

 

 

893

 

Other

 

 

157

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

424

 

 

 

344

 

Total Cable Network Programming revenues

 

 

1,467

 

 

 

1,383

 

 

 

4,221

 

 

 

4,082

 

Television

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

 

1,266

 

 

 

812

 

 

 

3,726

 

 

 

3,245

 

Affiliate fee

 

 

553

 

 

 

452

 

 

 

1,487

 

 

 

1,257

 

Other

 

 

107

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

335

 

 

 

294

 

Total Television revenues

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

1,370

 

 

 

5,548

 

 

 

4,796

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

47

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

116

 

 

 

(2

)

Total revenues

 

$

3,440

 

 

$

2,752

 

 

$

9,885

 

 

$

8,876

 

 

 

Future Performance Obligations

As of March 31, 2020, approximately $5.3 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 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.

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable Network Programming

 

$

15

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

44

 

 

$

35

 

Television

 

 

17

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

80

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

25

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

37

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

57

 

 

$

58

 

 

$

164

 

 

$

152

 

 

 

 

As of

March 31,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable Network Programming

 

$

2,714

 

 

$

2,584

 

Television

 

 

7,226

 

 

 

6,598

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

9,950

 

 

 

9,462

 

Investments

 

 

347

 

 

 

865

 

Total assets

 

$

20,237

 

 

$

19,509

 

 

23


FOX CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

As of

March 31,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable Network Programming

 

$

1,288

 

 

$

1,246

 

Television

 

 

4,193

 

 

 

3,891

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

692

 

 

 

405

 

Total goodwill and intangible assets, net

 

$

6,173

 

 

$

5,542

 

 

NOTE 14. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net (losses) gains on investments in equity securities(a)

 

$

(567

)

 

$

211

 

 

$

(185

)

 

$

132

 

Transaction costs(b)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(106

)

 

 

(72

)

 

 

(184

)

U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity(c)

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(62

)

 

 

(45

)

Other

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(26

)

 

 

(19

)

Total other, net

 

$

(632

)

 

$

84

 

 

$

(345

)

 

$

(116

)

 

(a)

Net (losses) gains on investments in equity securities for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 included the losses related to changes in fair value of the Company’s investment in Roku which was sold in March 2020 (See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions under the heading “Roku”).

(b)

The transaction costs for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are primarily related to the Separation and the Distribution and include retention related costs and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 also include costs associated with the profits participants litigation (See Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies under the heading “Profits Participants Litigation”). The transaction costs for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 were offset by an adjustment to the receivables from Disney pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

(c)

See Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies under the heading “U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity.”

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,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Operating lease ROU assets

 

$

531

 

 

$

-

 

Investments(a)

 

 

347

 

 

 

865

 

Inventories, net

 

 

239

 

 

 

205

 

Other(b)

 

 

431

 

 

 

455

 

Total other non-current assets

 

$

1,548

 

 

$

1,525

 

 

(a)

Includes investments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis of $256 million and $761 million as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively (See Note 4—Fair Value).

(b)

Includes $223 million and $249 million of assets in the Grantor Trust (as defined in Note 14—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits in the 2019 Form 10-K) as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

24


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,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Accrued expenses

 

$

764

 

 

$

835

 

Program rights payable

 

 

533

 

 

 

514

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

149

 

 

 

169

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

134

 

 

 

-

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

200

 

 

 

194

 

Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

$

1,780

 

 

$

1,712

 

 

Other Liabilities

The following table sets forth the components of Other liabilities included in the Balance Sheets:

 

 

 

As of

March 31,

2020

 

 

As of

June 30,

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Accrued non-current pension/postretirement liabilities

 

$

550

 

 

$

543

 

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

431

 

 

 

-

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

331

 

 

 

356

 

Total other liabilities

 

$

1,312

 

 

$

899

 

 

Supplemental Information

 

 

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Supplemental cash flows information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

(355

)

 

$

(39

)

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

(75

)

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental information on acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired, excluding cash

 

$

773

 

 

$

-

 

Cash acquired

 

 

15

 

 

 

-

 

Liabilities assumed

 

 

(53

)

 

 

-

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

(109

)

 

 

-

 

Cash paid

 

 

(626

)

 

 

-

 

Fair value of equity instruments consideration

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

25


 

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 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, 2019 as filed with the SEC on August 9, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”).

INTRODUCTION

The Distribution

On March 19, 2019, Fox Corporation (“FOX” or the “Company”) became a standalone publicly traded company through the pro rata distribution by Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (now known as TFCF Corporation) (“21CF”) of all of the issued and outstanding common stock of FOX to 21CF stockholders (other than holders that were subsidiaries of 21CF) (the “Distribution”) in accordance with the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 20, 2018, by and between 21CF and 21CF Distribution Merger Sub, Inc. Following the Distribution, 354 million and 266 million shares of the Company’s 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”), respectively, began trading independently on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. In connection with the Distribution, the Company entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2019 (the “Separation Agreement”), with 21CF, which effected the internal restructuring (the “Separation”) whereby 21CF transferred to FOX a portfolio of 21CF’s news, sports and broadcast businesses, including FOX News Media (consisting of FOX News and FOX Business), FOX Entertainment, FOX Sports, FOX Television Stations, and sports cable networks FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes and Big Ten Network, and certain other assets, and FOX assumed from 21CF the liabilities associated with such businesses and certain other liabilities. The Separation and the Distribution were effected as part of a series of transactions contemplated by the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 20, 2018, by and among 21CF, The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) and certain subsidiaries of Disney, pursuant to which, among other things, 21CF became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney.

In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into several agreements that govern certain aspects of the Company’s relationship with 21CF and Disney following the Separation. These include the Separation Agreement, a tax matters agreement, a transition services agreement, as well as agreements relating to intellectual property licenses, employee matters, commercial arrangements and a studio lot lease (See Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2019 Form 10-K for additional information).

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 BusinessThis 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, 2020 and 2019 that the Company believes are important in understanding its results of operations and financial condition or to disclose known trends.

 

Results of OperationsThis section provides an analysis of the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. 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 ResourcesThis section provides an analysis of the Company’s cash flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, as well as a discussion of the Company’s outstanding debt and commitments that existed as of March 31, 2020. 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.

26


 

 

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking StatementsThis 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 2019 Form 10-K and Part II. and to Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as filed with the SEC on November 6, 2019 (the “Q1 2020 Form 10-Q”) and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 principally consists of the production and licensing of news and sports content distributed primarily through traditional cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and telecommunication companies (“traditional MVPDs”), and online multi-channel video programming distributors (“digital MVPDs”), primarily in the U.S.

 

Television, which principally consists of the acquisition, marketing and distribution of broadcast network programming nationally under the FOX brand and the operation of 29 full power broadcast television stations, including 11 duopolies, in the U.S. Of these stations, 18 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 corporate overhead costs, intracompany eliminations, the FOX Studios lot and Credible Labs Inc. (“Credible”). The FOX Studios 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.

Other Business Developments

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) and measures to prevent its spread are affecting the macroeconomic environment, as well as the business of the Company, in a number of ways. For example, while the Company’s national news ratings remain strong, sporting events for which the Company has broadcast rights have been cancelled or postponed, the production of certain entertainment content the Company acquires has been suspended and demand in local advertising markets has declined. The magnitude of the impacts will depend on the duration and extent of COVID-19 and the effect of governmental actions, consumer behavior and actions taken by the Company’s business partners in response to the pandemic and such governmental actions. The evolving and uncertain nature of this situation makes it challenging for the Company to estimate the future performance of its businesses, particularly over the near to medium term, including the supply and demand for its services, its cash flows and its current and future advertising revenue. However, the impact of COVID-19 could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations over the near to medium term. If current trends in advertising demand continue for the entire fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 at FOX Television Stations, FOX News Media and FOX Entertainment, the Company would expect advertising revenue to decrease approximately $200 million to $240 million or 25% to 30%, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2019, which includes a reduction in advertising revenue of approximately 50% at FOX Television Stations. These estimated impacts to fourth quarter advertising revenue exclude the impact of advertising revenue related to sporting events due to the uncertainty around the scheduling of such events. Partially offsetting these decreases in revenues may be the benefit of lower programming and production expenses due to originally scheduled content not airing on our networks. A significant decline in estimated advertising revenue or the expected popularity of the Company’s programming could lead to a downward revision in the fair value of, among other things, the Company’s reporting units, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets and result in an impairment and a non-cash charge that is material to the Company’s reported net earnings. An impairment did not exist as of March 31, 2020. The Company will perform its annual impairment review during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. In addition, the recoverability of national sports contracts is based on the Company’s best estimates at March 31, 2020 of attributable revenues and costs; such estimates may change in the future and such changes may be significant. Should revenues decline materially from estimates applied at March 31, 2020, amortization of rights may be accelerated.

27


 

In April 2020, the Company acquired Tubi, Inc. (“Tubi”), a leading free ad-supported streaming service, for approximately $445 million in net cash consideration at closing (the “Tubi Acquisition”). Potential additional consideration in the form of deferred consideration and unvested options totaling approximately $45 million may be due over a three-year period following the closing of the transaction. The Company financed the Tubi Acquisition principally with the net proceeds from the sale of its investment in Roku, Inc. (“Roku”), which was sold for approximately $340 million in March 2020 (See Note 2Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Roku” for further discussion).

In March 2020, the Company acquired three television stations (FOX-affiliate KCPQ and MyNetworkTV-affiliate KZJO located in Seattle, Washington and FOX-affiliate WITI located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) for approximately $350 million in cash from Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (“Nexstar”). As part of this transaction, the Company sold Nexstar two television stations (FOX-affiliate WJZY and MyNetworkTV-affiliate WMYT located in Charlotte, North Carolina) for approximately $45 million in cash (See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Television Stations Acquisition and Divestiture” for further discussion).

On November 6, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of $2 billion of the Company’s Common Stock. The program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The Company also announced that it had entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement to repurchase $350 million of Class A Common Stock and announced its intention to promptly repurchase $150 million of Class B Common Stock. At the same time, the Company announced that it had entered into a stockholders agreement with the Murdoch Family Trust (See Note 8—Stockholders’ Equity to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the headings “Stock Repurchase Program” and “Stockholders Agreement” for further discussion).

In October 2019, the Company acquired 67% of the equity in Credible for approximately A$390 million (approximately $260 million) in cash (the “Credible Acquisition”), net of cash acquired. In addition, the Company has agreed to contribute up to $75 million of capital to Credible over approximately two years following the closing of the Credible Acquisition (See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Credible Acquisition” for further discussion).

In October 2019, Flutter Entertainment plc (“Flutter”) and The Stars Group Inc. announced that they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended all-share combination to create a global leader in sports betting and gaming (the “Combination”) and, in early May 2020, the Combination was completed. As part of the agreement, FOX Sports received the right to acquire an approximately 18.5% equity interest in FanDuel Group, a majority-owned subsidiary of Flutter, at its market value in 2021 (structured as a 10-year option from 2021, subject to a carrying value adjustment).

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued its decision in Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC in the Fall of 2019, which reinstated the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule prohibiting common ownership of broadcast stations and daily newspapers in the same designated market area (“DMA”). The FCC implemented the reinstatement on December 20, 2019. The Company owns two television stations in the New York DMA and an attributable interest in The New York Post due to the Murdoch Family Trust’s ownership interests in both the Company and News Corporation. The FCC filed a petition for review with the U.S. Supreme Court in April 2020, and the Company also filed a petition for review with other intervenors. For more information, see “Part I. Item 1. Business - Government Regulation” in the 2019 Form 10-K.

28


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations—For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 versus the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliate fee

 

$

1,559

 

 

 

 

$

1,420

 

 

$

139

 

 

 

10

 

%

 

 

$

4,389

 

 

$

4,102

 

 

$

287

 

 

 

7

 

%

 

Advertising

 

 

1,570

 

 

 

 

 

1,088

 

 

 

482

 

 

 

44

 

%

 

 

 

4,621

 

 

 

4,138

 

 

 

483

 

 

 

12

 

%

 

Other

 

 

311

 

 

 

 

 

244

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

27

 

%

 

 

 

875

 

 

 

636

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

38

 

%

 

Total revenues

 

 

3,440

 

 

 

 

 

2,752

 

 

 

688

 

 

 

25

 

%

 

 

 

9,885

 

 

 

8,876

 

 

 

1,009

 

 

 

11

 

%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

(2,061

)

 

 

 

 

(1,660

)

 

 

(401

)

 

 

24

 

%

 

 

 

(6,620

)

 

 

(5,969

)

 

 

(651

)

 

 

11

 

%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

(464

)

 

 

 

 

(336

)

 

 

(128

)

 

 

38

 

%

 

 

 

(1,247

)

 

 

(964

)

 

 

(283

)

 

 

29

 

%

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(57

)

 

 

 

 

(58

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(2

)

%

 

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(152

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

8

 

%

 

Impairment and restructuring charges

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

14

 

 

 

(100

)

%

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(36

)

%

 

Interest expense

 

 

(89

)

 

 

 

 

(81

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

10

 

%

 

 

 

(269

)

 

 

(112

)

 

 

(157

)

 

**

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(58

)

%

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

74

 

%

 

Other, net

 

 

(632

)

 

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

(716

)

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

(345

)

 

 

(116

)

 

 

(229

)

 

**

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

706

 

 

 

(561

)

 

 

(79

)

%

 

 

 

1,264

 

 

 

1,568

 

 

 

(304

)

 

 

(19

)

%

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(55

)

 

 

 

 

(167

)

 

 

112

 

 

 

(67

)

%

 

 

 

(347

)

 

 

(390

)

 

 

43

 

 

 

(11

)

%

 

Net income

 

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

(449

)

 

 

(83

)

%

 

 

 

917

 

 

 

1,178

 

 

 

(261

)

 

 

(22

)

%

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

20

 

%

 

 

 

(40

)

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

8

 

%

 

Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders

 

$

78

 

 

 

 

$

529

 

 

$

(451

)

 

 

(85

)

%

 

 

$

877

 

 

$

1,141

 

 

$

(264

)

 

 

(23

)

%

 

 

**

not meaningful

OverviewThe Company’s revenues increased 25% and 11% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily due to higher average rates per subscriber and higher fees received from television stations that are affiliated with the FOX Network, partially offset by the impact of a lower average number of subscribers. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to the broadcast of the National Football League’s (“NFL”) Super Bowl LIV and higher digital advertising revenue, partially offset by the broadcast of one less NFL Divisional playoff game, a decline in the local advertising market in March 2020 and fewer broadcasts of sporting events as a result of COVID-19 and, for the nine months ended March 31, 2020, lower political advertising revenue at the FOX Television Stations due to the U.S. midterm elections in November 2018. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to revenues generated from the operation of the FOX Studios lot for third parties and the impact of the consolidation of Bento Box Entertainment, LLC (“Bento Box”) and Credible in fiscal 2020.

Operating expenses increased 24% and 11% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019, primarily due to higher sports programming rights amortization and production costs, including Super Bowl LIV costs and contractual rate increases, the impact of the consolidation of Bento Box and Credible and higher broadcast costs related to operating as a standalone public company. Partially offsetting the increase in operating expenses was one less NFL Divisional playoff game and the broadcast of fewer sporting events as a result of COVID-19, including the postponement of National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (“NASCAR”) races.

29


 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 38% and 29% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019, primarily due to higher costs in fiscal 2020 related to operating as a standalone public company as compared to allocated costs in fiscal 2019 (See Note 1Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Basis of Presentation for additional information). In addition, the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 include equity-based compensation costs of approximately $10 million and $40 million, respectively, related to the grant of restricted stock units and stock options, in connection with the Distribution, under the Fox Corporation 2019 Shareholder Alignment Plan (See Note 11Equity-Based Compensation in the 2019 Form 10-K for additional information).

Interest expenseInterest expense increased $8 million and $157 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019, primarily due to the issuance of $6.8 billion of senior notes in January 2019 (See Note 9—Borrowings in the 2019 Form 10-K under the heading “Senior Notes Issued Under the January 2019 Indenture” for additional information).

Other, netSee Note 14Additional Financial Information to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Other, net.”

Income tax expenseThe Company’s tax provision and related effective tax rate of 38% and 27% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, were higher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes, a valuation allowance recorded against net capital losses and other permanent items.

The Company’s tax provision and related effective tax rate of 24% and 25% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, were higher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes and other permanent items.

Net incomeNet income decreased $449 million and $261 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019, primarily due to losses related to changes in fair value of the Company’s investment in Roku, which was sold in March 2020, as compared to unrealized gains in fiscal 2019 (See Note 14—Additional Financial Information to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Other, net”) and higher costs in fiscal 2020 related to operating as a standalone public company. Partially offsetting the decrease in net income was higher Segment EBITDA at the Cable Network Programming and Television segments, which were impacted by costs related to operating as a standalone public company, and lower income tax expense.

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.

Beginning with the announcement of the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company has renamed as “Segment EBITDA” the measure that it previously referred to as “Segment OIBDA.” The definition of this measure has not changed: 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, Interest income, 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.

30


 

The following tables set forth the Company’s Revenues and Segment EBITDA for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable Network Programming

 

$

1,467

 

 

$

1,383

 

 

$

84

 

 

 

6

 

%

 

 

$

4,221

 

 

$

4,082

 

 

$

139

 

 

 

3

 

%

 

Television

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

1,370

 

 

 

556

 

 

 

41

 

%

 

 

 

5,548

 

 

 

4,796

 

 

 

752

 

 

 

16

 

%

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

47

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

48

 

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

118

 

 

**

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,440

 

 

$

2,752

 

 

$

688

 

 

 

25

 

%

 

 

$

9,885

 

 

$

8,876

 

 

$

1,009

 

 

 

11

 

%

 

 

**

not meaningful

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Segment EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable Network Programming

 

$

792

 

 

$

741

 

 

$

51

 

 

 

7

 

%

 

 

$

2,032

 

 

$

1,893

 

 

$

139

 

 

 

7

 

%

 

Television

 

 

224

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

125

 

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

256

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

2

 

%

 

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

 

 

(96

)

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

30

 

%

 

 

 

(256

)

 

 

(177

)

 

 

(79

)

 

 

45

 

%

 

Adjusted EBITDA(a)

 

$

920

 

 

$

766

 

 

$

154

 

 

 

20

 

%

 

 

$

2,037

 

 

$

1,972

 

 

$

65

 

 

 

3

 

%

 

 

**

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 (43% and 46% of the Company’s revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively)

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliate fee

 

$

1,006

 

 

 

 

$

968

 

 

$

38

 

 

 

4

 

%

 

 

$

2,902

 

 

 

 

$

2,845

 

 

$

57

 

 

 

2

 

%

 

Advertising

 

 

304

 

 

 

 

 

276

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

10

 

%

 

 

 

895

 

 

 

 

 

893

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

%

 

Other

 

 

157

 

 

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

13

 

%

 

 

 

424

 

 

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

23

 

%

 

Total revenues

 

 

1,467

 

 

 

 

 

1,383

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

6

 

%

 

 

 

4,221

 

 

 

 

 

4,082

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

3

 

%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

(554

)

 

 

 

 

(547

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

1

 

%

 

 

 

(1,866

)

 

 

 

 

(1,896

)

 

 

30

 

 

 

(2

)

%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

(126

)

 

 

 

 

(105

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

20

 

%

 

 

 

(342

)

 

 

 

 

(322

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

6

 

%

 

Amortization of cable distribution investments

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(50

)

%

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(34

)

%

 

Segment EBITDA

 

$

792

 

 

 

 

$

741

 

 

$

51

 

 

 

7

 

%

 

 

$

2,032

 

 

 

 

$

1,893

 

 

$

139

 

 

 

7

 

%

 

 

31


 

Revenues at the Cable Network Programming segment increased 6% and 3% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily attributable to higher average rates per subscriber, led by contractual rate increases on existing affiliate agreements and from affiliate agreement renewals, partially offset by the impact of a lower average number of subscribers. The decrease in the average number of subscribers was due to a reduction in subscribers to traditional MVPDs, partially offset by an increase in digital MVPD subscribers. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to higher ratings and digital advertising revenue at FOX News Media, partially offset by the effect of higher preemptions associated with breaking news coverage and the broadcast of fewer sporting events and studio shows as a result of COVID-19. The increase in other revenues was primarily attributable to higher sports sublicensing revenue and, for the nine months ended March 31, 2020, higher revenues generated from Premier Boxing Champions (“PBC”) pay-per-view events.

Cable Network Programming Segment EBITDA increased 7% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019, primarily due to the revenue increases noted above, partially offset by, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, higher expenses. Operating expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to higher production costs relating to on-location studio shows in Miami leading up to Super Bowl LIV and, at FOX News Media, increased costs incurred in connection with FOX Nation and increased political coverage, partially offset by lower sports programming rights amortization, driven by the postponement of NASCAR races as a result of COVID-19. Operating expenses decreased for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to lower sports programming rights amortization, driven by the absence of Ultimate Fighting Championship (“UFC”) content, partially offset by higher costs at FOX News Media, including talent costs.

Television (56% and 54% of the Company’s revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively)

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

1,266

 

 

 

 

$

812

 

 

$

454

 

 

 

56

 

%

 

 

$

3,726

 

 

 

 

$

3,245

 

 

$

481

 

 

 

15

 

%

 

Affiliate fee

 

 

553

 

 

 

 

 

452

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

22

 

%

 

 

 

1,487

 

 

 

 

 

1,257

 

 

 

230

 

 

 

18

 

%

 

Other

 

 

107

 

 

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

%

 

 

 

335

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

14

 

%

 

Total revenues

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

 

 

1,370

 

 

 

556

 

 

 

41

 

%

 

 

 

5,548

 

 

 

 

 

4,796

 

 

 

752

 

 

 

16

 

%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

(1,486

)

 

 

 

 

(1,114

)

 

 

(372

)

 

 

33

 

%

 

 

 

(4,713

)

 

 

 

 

(4,075

)

 

 

(638

)

 

 

16

 

%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

(216

)

 

 

 

 

(157

)

 

 

(59

)

 

 

38

 

%

 

 

 

(574

)

 

 

 

 

(465

)

 

 

(109

)

 

 

23

 

%

 

Segment EBITDA

 

$

224

 

 

 

 

$

99

 

 

$

125

 

 

**

 

 

 

 

$

261

 

 

 

 

$

256

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

2

 

%

 

 

**

not meaningful

Revenues at the Television segment increased 41% and 16% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to revenues resulting from the broadcast of Super Bowl LIV in February 2020 of approximately $500 million, including the post-game broadcast of The Masked Singer, higher pricing at the FOX Network and, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, higher political advertising revenue at the FOX Television Stations. Partially offsetting the increase in advertising revenue was lower ratings at the FOX Network, one less NFL Divisional playoff game, a decline in the local advertising market in March 2020 and fewer broadcasts of sporting events as a result of COVID-19 and, for the nine months ended March 31, 2020, lower political advertising revenue at the FOX Television Stations due to the U.S. midterm elections in November 2018. 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 at the Company’s owned and operated television stations, 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 the consolidation of Bento Box, partially offset by lower digital content licensing revenue at the FOX Network.

32


 

Television Segment EBITDA more than doubled and increased 2% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2019, primarily due to the revenue increases noted above, partially offset by higher expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to the broadcast of Super Bowl LIV, the impact of the consolidation of Bento Box and higher costs related to investments in original scripted programming and co-production arrangements with third party studios, partially offset by the absence of one NFL Divisional playoff game and the absence of a write-down of approximately $55 million related to entertainment and syndicated programming rights in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Also contributing to the increase in operating expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 was contractual sports rights rate increases. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher costs related to operating as a standalone public company.

Other, Corporate and Eliminations (1% of the Company’s revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2020)

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Revenues

 

$

47

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

48

 

 

**

 

 

 

 

$

116

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

118

 

 

**

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

(21

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(22

)

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(43

)

 

**

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

(122

)

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(48

)

 

 

65

 

%

 

 

 

(331

)

 

 

(177

)

 

 

(154

)

 

 

87

 

%

 

Segment EBITDA

 

$

(96

)

 

$

(74

)

 

$

(22

)

 

 

30

 

%

 

 

$

(256

)

 

$

(177

)

 

$

(79

)

 

 

45

 

%

 

 

**

not meaningful

Revenues at the Other, Corporate and Eliminations segment for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 included revenues generated from the operation of the FOX Studios lot for third parties and the consolidation of Credible. Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 included the consolidation of Credible and the costs of operating the FOX Studios lot for third parties. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to higher costs related to operating as a standalone public company, the costs of operating the FOX Studios lot for third parties and the consolidation of Credible.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Beginning with the announcement of the Company’s financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company has renamed as “Adjusted EBITDA” the measure that it had previously referred to as “Total Segment EBITDA” and, prior to the announcement of the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2019, as “Total Segment OIBDA.” The definition of this measure has not changed: 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, Interest income, 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 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.

33


 

The following table reconciles Net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Net income

 

$

90

 

 

$

539

 

 

$

(449

)

 

 

(83

)

%

 

 

$

917

 

 

$

1,178

 

 

$

(261

)

 

 

(22

)

%

 

Add

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of cable distribution investments

 

 

5

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(50

)

%

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(34

)

%

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

57

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

%

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

8

 

%

 

Impairment and restructuring charges

 

 

-

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(100

)

%

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(36

)

%

 

Interest expense

 

 

89

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

10

 

%

 

 

 

269

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

157

 

 

**

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

(58

)

%

 

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

74

 

%

 

Other, net

 

 

632

 

 

 

(84

)

 

 

716

 

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

345

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

229

 

 

**

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

55

 

 

 

167

 

 

 

(112

)

 

 

(67

)

%

 

 

 

347

 

 

 

390

 

 

 

(43

)

 

 

(11

)

%

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

920

 

 

$

766

 

 

$

154

 

 

 

20

 

%

 

 

$

2,037

 

 

$

1,972

 

 

$

65

 

 

 

3

 

%

 

 

**

not meaningful

The following table sets forth the computation of Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

(in millions, except %)

Revenues

 

$

3,440

 

 

$

2,752

 

 

$

688

 

 

 

25

 

%

 

 

$

9,885

 

 

$

8,876

 

 

$

1,009

 

 

 

11

 

%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

(2,061

)

 

 

(1,660

)

 

 

(401

)

 

 

24

 

%

 

 

 

(6,620

)

 

 

(5,969

)

 

 

(651

)

 

 

11

 

%

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

(464

)

 

 

(336

)

 

 

(128

)

 

 

38

 

%

 

 

 

(1,247

)

 

 

(964

)

 

 

(283

)

 

 

29

 

%

 

Amortization of cable distribution investments

 

 

5

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(50

)

%

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(34

)

%

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

920

 

 

$

766

 

 

$

154

 

 

 

20

 

%

 

 

$

2,037

 

 

$

1,972

 

 

$

65

 

 

 

3

 

%

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current Financial Condition

The Company’s principal source of liquidity is internally generated funds which are highly dependent upon the continuation of affiliate agreements and the state of the advertising markets, the latter of which is being negatively impacted by COVID-19 in the near term. The magnitude of the impact will depend on the duration and extent of COVID-19 and the effect of governmental actions, consumer behavior and actions taken by the Company’s business partners in response to the pandemic and such governmental actions. As part of actions the Company is taking to address COVID-19 and the resulting impact on its business, operations and employees, in April 2020, the Company implemented short-term cost reductions, including reducing executive compensation and suspending compensation increases. The Company has approximately $3.2 billion of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2020 and an unused five-year $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility. In addition, the Company issued $1.2 billion of senior notes in April 2020 and has access to the worldwide capital markets, subject to market conditions which could be impacted by COVID-19. See Note 6—Borrowings to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX. As of March 31, 2020, 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.

34


 

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 along with investing approximately $150 million to $200 million in establishing standalone technical facilities over the two years following the Distribution; employee and facility costs; capital expenditures; acquisitions; interest and dividend payments; debt repayments; and stock repurchases.

In addition to the acquisitions, sales and possible acquisitions disclosed elsewhere, 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. See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,345

 

 

$

1,624

 

 

The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2019, was primarily due to higher cash paid for interest as a result of the senior notes issued in January 2019 and cash paid for income taxes, partially offset by higher Cable Network Programming Segment EBITDA.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(397

)

 

$

(311

)

 

The increase in net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2019, was primarily due to the acquisition of three television stations and the Credible Acquisition, partially offset by the cash proceeds from the sale of the Company’s investment in Roku during the nine months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the investments in Caffeine, Inc. and Caffeine Studio, LLC (See Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX).

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the nine months ended March 31,

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

$

(986

)

 

$

(995

)

 

The decrease in net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2019, was primarily due to repurchases of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and dividends paid to the Company’s stockholders during the nine months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the net transfers to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. of $1.2 billion, the dividend of $8.5 billion paid to 21CF net of the $2 billion cash payment received from Disney, partially offset by the proceeds from the issuance of $6.8 billion of senior notes in January 2019 during the nine months ended March 31, 2019. The nature of activities included in net transfers to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. includes financing activities, capital transfers, cash sweeps, other treasury services and corporate expenses.

Stock Repurchase Program

See Note 8—Stockholders’ Equity to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Stock Repurchase Program.”

35


 

Dividends

The Company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.23 per share on both the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2020, which was paid in April 2020 to stockholders of record on March 4, 2020.

Debt Instruments

Borrowings include senior notes (See Note 6—Borrowings to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX).

Ratings of the senior notes

The following table summarizes the Company’s credit ratings as of March 31, 2020:

 

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 (See Note 6—Borrowings to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX).

Commitments and Contingencies

See Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Guidance and the CARES Act.”

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; (v) estimated annual recurring costs relating to FOX operating as a standalone, publicly traded company; and (vi) 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:

 

the COVID-19 pandemic, governmental actions to contain it and the related economic downturn and market volatility;

 

recent and future changes in technology, including alternative methods for the delivery and storage of digital content, and in consumer behavior, including changes in when, where and how they consume content;

36


 

 

changes in the Company’s strategies and initiatives and the acceptance thereof by consumers, distributors of the Company’s content, affiliates, advertisers and other parties with which the Company does business;

 

the highly competitive nature of the industry in which the Company’s businesses operate;

 

declines in advertising expenditures due to various factors such as the economic prospects of advertisers or the economy in general, technological developments and changes in consumer behavior, and shifts in advertisers’ spending toward digital and mobile offerings and away from more traditional media;

 

the loss of affiliation or carriage agreements or arrangements where the Company makes its content available for viewing through online video platforms;

 

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;

 

damage to the Company’s brands or reputation;

 

the inability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Company’s strategic investments and acquisitions;

 

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 loss of key personnel;

 

the effect of labor disputes, including labor disputes involving professional sports leagues whose games or events the Company has the right to broadcast;

 

changes in tax, federal communications or other laws, regulations, practices or the interpretations thereof;

 

the impact of any investigations or fines from governmental authorities, including 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;

 

lower than expected valuations associated with one of the Company’s reporting units, indefinite-lived intangible assets, investments or long-lived assets;

 

changes in GAAP or other applicable accounting standards and policies;

 

the Company’s very limited operating history as a standalone, publicly traded company and the risk that the Company is unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate effectively as a standalone, publicly traded company;

 

increased costs in connection with the Company operating as a standalone, publicly traded company following the Distribution and the loss of synergies the Company enjoyed from operating as part of 21CF;

 

the Company’s reliance on 21CF to provide the Company various services during a transition period under the transition services agreement including broadcast operations, sports production, information and technology, and other services, and the risks that 21CF does not properly provide the services under this agreement or that the Company is unable to provide or obtain such services following the transition period (or during the transition period, if 21CF does not properly provide them in a timely and cost effective manner);

 

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 and the indemnification arrangements entered into in connection with the Separation and the Distribution; and

 

the other risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I., Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the 2019 Form 10-K and in Part II., Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Q1 2020 Form 10-Q and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

37


 

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 2019 Form 10-K except for the decrease in the Company’s exposure to stock price risk as a result of the sale of the Company’s investment in Roku. In April 2020, the Company issued $600 million of 3.05% senior notes due 2025 and $600 million of 3.50% senior notes due 2030.

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 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

38


 

PART II

ITEM 1.

The following information supplements and amends the disclosure set forth in the section titled “Legal Proceedings” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”), and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019 (the “Q1 2020 Form 10-Q”).

Profits Participants Litigation

Reference is made to the lawsuits filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles in November 2015 by Wark Entertainment, Inc., Temperance Brennan, L.P., Snooker Doodle Productions, Inc., and Bertha Blue, Inc. described on page 78 of the Form 10-K and page 32 of the Q1 2020 Form 10-Q. During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, The Walt Disney Company reached an amicable settlement with an additional profits participant who came forward. The Company’s portion of this settlement is approximately $20 million.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the 2019 Form 10-K and the Q1 2020 Form 10-Q, except as set forth below.

The COVID-19 pandemic could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) and measures to contain it are negatively affecting the macroeconomic environment and the Company’s business in a number of ways. For example, sports events for which the Company has broadcast rights have been cancelled or postponed and the production of certain entertainment content the Company acquires has been suspended, and there may be additional cancellations and postponements or production suspensions in the future. The Company’s business depends on the volume and popularity of the content it distributes, particularly sports content. Depending on the duration and severity of these content disruptions, they could materially adversely affect the Company’s advertising revenues and, over a longer period of time, its affiliate revenues. A significant decline in estimated advertising revenues or the expected popularity of the Company’s programming could also lead to a downward revision in the value of, among other things, the Company’s reporting units, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets and result in an impairment and a non-cash charge that is material to the Company’s reported net earnings.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly increased economic uncertainty and market volatility. It is likely that the pandemic will cause an economic slowdown of potentially extended duration, and it is possible that it could cause a global recession. Weak economic conditions and increased volatility and disruption in the financial markets pose risks to the Company and its business partners, including advertisers whose expenditures tend to reflect overall economic conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some of the Company’s advertisers (including, in particular, local market advertisers) to reduce their spending, and future declines in the economic prospects of advertisers or the economy in general could negatively impact their advertising expenditures further in the future. For more information about these risks, see the risk factors titled “The Company is exposed to risks associated with weak economic conditions and increased volatility and disruption in the financial markets.” and “A decline in advertising expenditures could cause the Company’s revenues and operating results to decline significantly in any given period or in specific markets.” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. Depending on the duration and severity of the economic downturn, it could lead to changes in consumer behavior that adversely affect the Company’s advertising or affiliate revenues.

Other risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic include those related to measures aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, such as shelter in place orders, business shutdowns, quarantines and travel bans and restrictions. These measures have affected and may further affect the Company’s workforce and operations, as well as those of its business partners. In addition, risks relating to cybersecurity incidents involving the Company or its business partners may be increased as large numbers of employees are working remotely.

The magnitude of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company will depend on the duration and extent of the pandemic, the effect of governmental actions to contain it and the duration and severity of the resulting economic slowdown. The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

39


 

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, 2020:

 

 

 

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, 2020 – January 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock(d)

 

 

1,706,102

 

 

$

36.05

 

 

 

 

 

Class B common stock

 

 

1,823,523

 

 

 

36.67

 

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2020 – February 29, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock

 

 

1,331,931

 

 

 

35.66

 

 

 

 

 

Class B common stock

 

 

682,311

 

 

 

33.14

 

 

 

 

 

March 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock

 

 

844,147

 

 

 

28.52

 

 

 

 

 

Class B common stock

 

 

429,007

 

 

 

27.85

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock(d)

 

 

3,882,180

 

 

 

34.28

 

 

 

 

 

Class B common stock

 

 

2,934,841

 

 

 

34.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,817,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,400

 

 

(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)

On November 6, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of $2 billion of the Company’s Common Stock. The program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

(d)

In connection with the stock repurchase program, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement to repurchase $350 million of Class A Common Stock in November 2019. In accordance with the ASR agreement, in November 2019, the Company paid a third-party financial institution $350 million and received an initial delivery of approximately eight million shares of Class A Common Stock, representing 80% of the shares expected to be repurchased under the ASR agreement, at a price of $34.99 per share. Upon settlement of the ASR agreement in January 2020, the Company received a final delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock. The final number of shares purchased under the ASR agreement was determined using a price of $36.05 per share (the volume-weighted average market price of the Class A Common Stock during the term of the ASR agreement less a discount) (See Note 8—Stockholders’ Equity to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Stock Repurchase Program” for more information).

In total, the Company repurchased approximately 17 million shares of Common Stock for $600 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2020.

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable

40


 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

(a)

Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Chief Executive Officer Certification required by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*

 

 

 

31.2

  

Chief Financial Officer Certification required by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*

 

 

 

32.1

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.**

 

 

 

101

  

The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019; (ii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 (unaudited) and June 30, 2019 (audited); (iv) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019; (v) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019; and (vi) Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.*

 

 

 

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

 

 

 

*

Filed herewith.

**

Furnished herewith.

41


 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

 

Fox Corporation

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Steven Tomsic

 

 

 

Steven Tomsic

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: May 6, 2020

42