Annual Statements Open main menu

NEWS CORP - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016

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 001-35769

 

 

 

LOGO

NEWS CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   46-2950970

(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) 416-3400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Class A Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

  The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Class B Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

  The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of class)

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨      Non-accelerated filer   ¨      Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of December 24, 2015, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates was approximately $5,167,774,289, based upon the closing price of $13.62 per share as quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market on that date, and the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates was approximately $1,720,467,506, based upon the closing price of $14.23 per share as quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market on that date.

As of August 5, 2016, 380,538,230 shares of Class A Common Stock and 199,630,240 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information required for Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the News Corporation definitive Proxy Statement for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within 120 days of News Corporation’s fiscal year end.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

PART I

     

ITEM 1.

  

Business

     1   

ITEM 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     16   

ITEM 1B.

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

     28   

ITEM 2.

  

Properties

     28   

ITEM 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

     30   

ITEM 4.

  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     33   

PART II

     

ITEM 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     34   

ITEM 6.

  

Selected Financial Data

     36   

ITEM 7.

  

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

     38   

ITEM 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     74   

ITEM 8.

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     76   

ITEM 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     145   

ITEM 9A.

  

Controls and Procedures

     145   

ITEM 9B.

  

Other Information

     145   

PART III

     

ITEM 10.

  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     146   

ITEM 11.

  

Executive Compensation

     146   

ITEM 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     146   

ITEM 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     147   

ITEM 14.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     147   
PART IV      

ITEM 15.

  

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

     148   

SIGNATURES

     149   

 


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

The Company

News Corporation (the “Company,” “News Corp,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a global diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content to consumers and businesses throughout the world. The Company comprises businesses across a range of media, including: news and information services, book publishing, digital real estate services, cable network programming in Australia and pay-TV distribution in Australia, that are distributed under some of the world’s most recognizable and respected brands, including The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, The Australian, Herald Sun, The Sun, The Times, HarperCollins Publishers, FOX SPORTS Australia, realestate.com.au, realtor.com®, Foxtel and many others. The Company’s commitment to premium content makes its properties a trusted source of news and information and a premier destination for consumers across various media. Many of these properties deliver broad reach and high audience engagement levels in their respective markets, making them attractive advertising vehicles for the Company’s advertising customers.

The Company delivers its premium content to consumers across numerous distribution platforms consisting not only of traditional print and television, but also through an array of digital platforms including websites, applications for mobile devices and tablets, social media and e-book devices. The Company is focused on pursuing integrated strategies across its businesses to continue to capitalize on the growth in digital consumption of high-quality content. The Company believes that the increasing number of media choices and formats will allow it to continue to deliver its content in a more engaging, timely and personalized manner, provide opportunities to more effectively monetize its content via strong customer relationships and more compelling and engaging advertising solutions and reduce its physical production and distribution costs as it continues to focus on its digital platforms.

The Company’s diversified revenue base consists of advertising sales, recurring subscriptions, circulation copies, licensing fees, affiliate fees, direct sales and sponsorship sales. The Company manages its businesses to take advantage of opportunities to share technologies and practices across geographies and businesses and bundle selected offerings to provide greater value to consumers and advertising partners. Headquartered in New York, the Company operates primarily in the United States, Australia and the U.K., and its content is distributed and consumed worldwide. The Company’s operations are organized into five reporting segments: (i) News and Information Services; (ii) Book Publishing; (iii) Digital Real Estate Services; (iv) Cable Network Programming; and (v) Other, which includes the Company’s general corporate overhead expenses, corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters, as defined in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” The Company also owns a 50% stake in Foxtel, the largest pay-TV provider in Australia, which is accounted for as an equity investment.

The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest to June 30 in each year. Fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 included 53, 52 and 52 weeks, respectively. Unless otherwise noted, all references to the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 relate to the fiscal years ended July 3, 2016, June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its financial statements as of June 30.

Corporate Information

News Corporation is a Delaware corporation originally organized on December 11, 2012 in connection with its separation (the “Separation”) from Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (formerly named News Corporation) (“21st Century Fox”), which was completed on June 28, 2013 (the “Distribution Date”). In connection with the

 

1


Table of Contents

Separation, the Company assumed the name “News Corporation.” Unless otherwise indicated, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 (the “Annual Report”) to the “Company,” “News Corp,” “we,” “us,” or “our” means News Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, and its telephone number is (212) 416-3400. The Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock are listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the trading symbols “NWSA” and “NWS,” respectively, and CHESS Depositary Interests (“CDIs”) representing the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) under the trading symbols “NWSLV” and “NWS,” respectively. More information regarding the Company is available on its website at www.newscorp.com, including the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are available, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after the material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document and any documents incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, including “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “believe” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this document and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things, trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and the outcome of contingencies such as litigation and investigations. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. More information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is set forth under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report. The Company does not ordinarily make projections of its future operating results and undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review this document and the other documents filed by the Company with the SEC. This section should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation (the “Financial Statements”) and related notes set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

2


Table of Contents

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

The Company’s five reporting segments are described below. In addition, the Company owns a 50% stake in Foxtel, which is accounted for as an equity investment. For financial information regarding the Company’s segments and operations in geographic areas, see Note 19 to the Financial Statements.

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016

 
     Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
 
     (in millions)  

News and Information Services

   $ 5,338       $ 214   

Book Publishing

     1,646         185   

Digital Real Estate Services

     822         344   

Cable Network Programming

     484         124   

Other

     2         (183
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,292       $ 684   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

News and Information Services

The Company’s News and Information Services segment consists primarily of Dow Jones, News Corp Australia (which includes News Limited and its subsidiaries), News UK (formerly known as News International), the New York Post and News America Marketing. This segment also includes Unruly Holdings Limited (“Unruly”), a leading global video advertising distribution platform, and Storyful Limited (“Storyful”), a social media content agency that enables the Company to source real-time video content through social media platforms. The News and Information Services segment generates revenue primarily through print and digital advertising sales and through circulation and subscriptions to its print and digital products. Advertising revenues at the News and Information Services segment are subject to seasonality, with revenues typically being highest in the Company’s second fiscal quarter due to the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies.

Dow Jones

Dow Jones is a global provider of news and business information, which distributes its content and data through a variety of media channels including newspapers, newswires, websites, applications for mobile devices, tablets and e-book readers, newsletters, magazines, proprietary databases, conferences and video. Dow Jones’s products, which target individual consumer and enterprise customers, include The Wall Street Journal, Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, Barron’s, MarketWatch, Dow Jones PEVC and DJX. Dow Jones’s revenue is diversified across business-to-consumer and business-to-business subscriptions, circulation, advertising and licensing fees for its print and digital products.

Through its premier brands and authoritative journalism, Dow Jones’s products targeting individual consumers provide insights, research and understanding that enable customers to stay informed and make educated financial decisions. With a focus on the financial markets, investing and other professional services, many of these products offer advertisers an attractive customer demographic. Products targeting consumers include the following:

 

   

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). WSJ, Dow Jones’s flagship product, is available in print, online and across multiple mobile, tablet and e-book devices. WSJ covers national and international news and provides analysis, commentary and opinions on a wide range of topics, including business developments and trends, economics, financial markets, investing, science and technology, lifestyle, culture and sports. WSJ had average print and digital issue sales of approximately 2,341,000, including average print and digital subscriptions of approximately 2,035,000, of which approximately 948,000 were digital-only subscriptions, for the period from March 28, 2016 to July 3, 2016 based on internal data, with independent assurance provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP UK. WSJ is printed at plants located

 

3


Table of Contents
 

around the U.S., including eight owned by the Company. WSJ sells regional advertising in three major U.S. regional editions (Eastern, Central and Western) and 21 smaller sub-regional editions. WSJ’s digital products, described below, which offer both free and premium content, averaged nearly 93 million visits per month for the 12 months ended June 30, 2016 according to Adobe Analytics, and include local language content in multiple languages. Print and digital products under the WSJ brand include:

Print: The Wall Street Journal (including its Asia and Europe editions) and WSJ.Magazine.

Digital: WSJ.com, WSJ Mobile and WSJ Video.

WSJ.com. WSJ.com includes Risk & Compliance Journal, CIO Journal, CFO Journal, CMO Today, WSJ.D (WSJ’s home for technology news, analysis, commentary, daily buzz and consumer product reviews), WSJ+ (a complimentary membership for WSJ subscribers that provides premium offers such as exclusive event invitations) and WSJ.com international sites such as WSJ.com/Asia and WSJ.com/Europe.

WSJ Mobile. WSJ offers a range of mobile products, including a responsive-design website and applications for multiple mobile devices. For the 12 months ended June 30, 2016, WSJ Mobile (including WSJ.com accessed via mobile devices, as well as applications) accounted for approximately 50% of visits to WSJ’s digital news and information products according to Adobe Analytics.

WSJ Video. WSJ video provides live and on-demand news online through WSJ.com and other platforms, including YouTube, Internet-connected TV and set-top boxes.

 

   

Dow Jones Media Group. The new Dow Jones Media Group focuses on Dow Jones consumer brands outside of The Wall Street Journal franchise, including Barron’s and MarketWatch, among other properties.

Barron’s. Barron’s, which is available in print, online and on multiple mobile, tablet and e-book devices, delivers news, analysis, investigative reporting, company profiles and insightful statistics for investors and others interested in the investment world. Barron’s had average print and digital issue sales of approximately 438,000, including average print and digital subscriptions of approximately 423,000, of which approximately 133,000 were digital-only subscriptions, for the period from March 28, 2016 to July 3, 2016 based on internal data, with independent assurance provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP UK.

MarketWatch. MarketWatch is an investing and financial news website targeting active investors. It also provides real-time commentary and investment tools and data. Products include mobile and tablet applications, a mobile site and MarketWatch Premium Newsletters (paid newsletters on a variety of investing topics). MarketWatch averaged more than 50 million visits per month for the 12 months ended June 30, 2016 according to Adobe Analytics.

 

   

The Wall Street Journal Digital Network (WSJDN). WSJDN offers advertisers the opportunity to reach Dow Jones’s audience across a number of brands, including the WSJ.com, Barrons.com and MarketWatch.com websites. During the year ended June 30, 2016, WSJDN averaged nearly 143 million visits per month, with an average of more than 364 million page views per month, according to Adobe Analytics.

 

4


Table of Contents

Dow Jones’s professional information products, which target enterprise customers, combine news and information with technology and tools that inform decisions and aid awareness, research and understanding. These products are designed to be integral to the success of Dow Jones’s enterprise customers, and Dow Jones expects to continue to build strong customer relationships by providing high levels of service and continued innovation through news, data and tools that meet its customers’ specific needs. These products include the following:

 

   

Knowledge and Insight. Dow Jones Knowledge and Insight products provide data and analysis from curated sources and include:

Factiva. Factiva is a leading provider of global business content, built on an archive of important, original publishing sources. This combination of business news and information, plus sophisticated tools, helps professionals find, monitor, interpret and share essential information. As of June 30, 2016, there were approximately 1.2 million activated Factiva users, including both institutional and individual accounts. Many of the institutional accounts have multiple individual users. Factiva offers content from over 33,000 global news and information sources from nearly 200 countries and in 28 languages. Thousands of Factiva’s sources are not available for free on the Internet and more than 4,000 sources make information available via Factiva on or before the date of publication by the source. Factiva leverages complex metadata extraction and text-mining to help its customers build precise searches and alerts to access and monitor this data.

Dow Jones PEVC. Dow Jones PEVC products provide news and deal data on venture capital and private equity-backed private companies and their investors to help venture capital and private equity professionals, financial services professionals and other service providers identify deal and partnership opportunities, perform due diligence and examine trends in venture capital and private equity investment, fund-raising and liquidity. Products include VentureSource, LP Source, VentureWire, Private Equity Analyst, LBO Wire, Private Equity News, Daily Bankruptcy Review (“DBR”), DBR Small Cap and DBR High Yield.

DJX. DJX is comprised of a bundle of underlying products, including Factiva, Dow Jones Newswires, certain PEVC products, including Venture Source and LP Source, certain Risk & Compliance products, WSJ.com and Barrons.com.

 

   

Dow Jones Risk & Compliance. Dow Jones Risk & Compliance products provide data solutions for customers focused on anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, monitoring embargo and sanction lists and other compliance requirements. Dow Jones’s solutions allow customers to filter their business transactions against its data to identify regulatory, corporate and reputational risk, and request follow-up due diligence reports. Products include online risk data and negative news searching tools such as Risk Database Search/Research/Premium and the Risk & Compliance Portal for batch screening. Feed services include Dow Jones Watchlist, Dow Jones Anti-Corruption, Dow Jones Sanction Alert and Adverse Media Entities. In addition, Dow Jones produces customized Due Diligence Reports to assist its clients with regulatory compliance.

 

   

Dow Jones Newswires. Dow Jones Newswires distributes real-time business news, information, analysis, commentary and statistical data to financial professionals and investors worldwide. It publishes, on average, over 16,000 news items each day, which are distributed via terminals, trading platforms and websites reaching hundreds of thousands of financial professionals. This content also reaches millions of individual investors via customer portals and the intranets of brokerage and trading firms, as well as digital media publishers.

News Corp Australia

News Corp Australia is one of the leading news and information providers in Australia by readership and circulation, owning over 100 newspapers covering a national, regional and suburban footprint. As of March 31, 2016, its daily, Sunday, weekly and bi-weekly newspapers accounted for more than 59% of the total circulation

 

5


Table of Contents

of newspapers in Australia, and during the year ended March 31, 2016, its Sunday newspaper network was read by approximately 4.0 million Australians on average every week. In addition, its digital mastheads and other websites are among the leading digital news properties in Australia based on monthly unique audience data. News Corp Australia’s news portfolio includes:

 

   

The Australian and The Weekend Australian (National). The Australian is published Monday through Friday, and The Weekend Australian is published on Saturday. Based on Audit Bureau of Circulations (“ABC”) data, average daily paid print circulation for the year ended March 31, 2016 was approximately 102,000 for The Australian and 225,000 for The Weekend Australian and average daily paid digital circulation for each was approximately 74,000. In addition, The Australian and The Weekend Australian had a total unduplicated print and digital audience of almost 3.1 million for the month of March 2016 based on Enhanced Media Metrics Australia (“EMMA”) average monthly print data for the year ended March 31, 2016 and Nielsen desktop, mobile and tablet audience data for March 2016. EMMA data incorporates more frequent sampling and combines both online usage derived from Nielsen data and print usage into a single metric that removes any audience overlap.

 

   

The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney). The Daily Telegraph is published Monday through Saturday. Based on ABC data, average daily paid print circulation for the year ended March 31, 2016 was approximately 251,000 for The Daily Telegraph and 441,000 for The Sunday Telegraph. In addition, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph had a total unduplicated print and digital audience of almost 4.4 million for the month of March 2016 based on EMMA average monthly print data for the year ended March 31, 2016 and Nielsen desktop, mobile and tablet audience data for March 2016.

 

   

Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne). Herald Sun is published Monday through Saturday. Based on ABC data, average daily paid print circulation for the year ended March 31, 2016 was approximately 339,000 for Herald Sun and 396,000 for Sunday Herald Sun. In addition, Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun had a total unduplicated print and digital audience of almost 4.3 million for the month of March 2016 based on EMMA average monthly print data for the year ended March 31, 2016 and Nielsen desktop, mobile and tablet audience data for March 2016.

 

   

The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail (Brisbane). The Courier-Mail is published Monday through Saturday. Based on ABC data, average daily paid print circulation for the year ended March 31, 2016 was approximately 156,000 for The Courier-Mail and 338,000 for The Sunday Mail. In addition, The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail had a total unduplicated print and digital audience of almost 3.1 million for the month of March 2016 based on EMMA average monthly print data for the year ended March 31, 2016 and Nielsen desktop, mobile and tablet audience data for March 2016.

 

   

The Advertiser and Sunday Mail (Adelaide). The Advertiser is published Monday through Saturday. Based on ABC data, average daily paid print circulation for the year ended March 31, 2016 was approximately 134,000 for The Advertiser and 204,000 for Sunday Mail. In addition, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail had a total unduplicated print and digital audience of almost 1.7 million for the month of March 2016 based on EMMA average monthly print data for the year ended March 31, 2016 and Nielsen desktop, mobile and tablet audience data for March 2016.

 

   

A large number of community newspapers in all major capital cities, as well as leading regional publications in Cairns, Gold Coast, Townsville and Geelong and in the other capital cities of Perth, Hobart and Darwin.

 

   

News Corp Australia has paid digital platforms for The Australian, The Weekend Australian, Herald Sun, Sunday Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Courier-Mail, The Sunday Mail, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail.

News Corp Australia’s broad portfolio of digital properties also includes news.com.au, the leading general interest site in Australia that provides breaking news, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, technology and sports news and delivers an average monthly unique audience of approximately 5.6 million based on Nielsen monthly

 

6


Table of Contents

total audience ratings for the three months ended June 30, 2016. In addition, News Corp Australia owns other premier properties such as taste.com.au, a leading food and recipe site, and kidspot.com.au, a leading parenting website, as well as various other digital media assets, including a 70.6% stake in the Sports Technology Group, which supplies a scheduling tool for sports and other community organizations. As of June 30, 2016, News Corp Australia’s other assets included a 14.99% interest in APN News and Media Limited, which operates a portfolio of Australian radio and outdoor media assets and small regional print interests, a 13.75% interest in SEEKAsia Limited, which operates leading online employment marketplaces throughout Southeast Asia, and a 25% interest in Hipages Group Pty Ltd., which operates a leading on-demand home improvement services marketplace.

News UK

News UK publishes The Sun, The Sun on Sunday, The Times and The Sunday Times, which are leading newspapers in the U.K. As of June 30, 2016, sales of these four titles accounted for approximately one-third of all national newspaper sales in the U.K. News UK’s newspapers (except some Saturday and Sunday supplements) are printed at News UK’s world-class printing facilities in England, Scotland and Ireland. In addition to revenue from the sale of advertising, circulation and subscriptions to its print and digital products, News UK generates revenue by providing third party printing services through these facilities and is one of the largest contract printers in the U.K. News UK also distributes content through its digital platforms, including its websites, thesun.co.uk, thetimes.co.uk and thesundaytimes.co.uk, as well as mobile and tablet applications. News UK’s online and mobile offerings include the rights to show English Premier League Football, English Premiership Rugby Union, Gaelic Athletic Association games and UEFA Champions League and Europa League match clips across its digital platforms. News UK’s portfolio includes:

 

   

The Sun. Published Monday through Sunday. Based on National Readership Survey data for the six months ended March 31, 2016, The Sun is the most read national newspaper in the U.K., with an average issue readership of approximately 4,427,000 Monday through Saturday for The Sun and 3,674,000 for The Sun on Sunday. Average daily paid print circulation for the six months ended June 30, 2016 based on ABC data was approximately 1,743,000 for The Sun and 1,445,000 for The Sun on Sunday. As of June 30, 2016, The Sun online had approximately 42 million monthly unique visitors worldwide based on ABC Electronic (Omniture).

 

   

The Times. Published Monday through Saturday with an average issue readership of approximately 1,098,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2016 based on National Readership Survey data. Average daily paid print circulation for the six months ended June 30, 2016 based on ABC data was approximately 426,000. As of June 30, 2016, The Times had approximately 169,000 paid print subscribers and 156,000 paid digital subscribers based on internal sources. News UK also publishes The Times Literary Supplement, a weekly literary review.

 

   

The Sunday Times. Leading broadsheet Sunday newspaper in the U.K. with an average issue readership of approximately 1,718,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2016 based on National Readership Survey data. Average daily paid print circulation for the six months ended June 30, 2016 based on ABC data was approximately 782,000. As of June 30, 2016, The Sunday Times had approximately 203,000 paid print subscribers and 170,000 paid digital subscribers based on internal sources.

In addition, News UK has also assembled a portfolio of complementary ancillary product offerings, including Sun Bingo and the recently launched Sun Bets, an online sports betting service.

New York Post

NYP Holdings is the publisher of the New York Post (the “Post”), NYPost.com, PageSix.com, Decider.com and related smartphone and tablet apps and social media channels. The Post is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the U.S., with a focus on coverage of the New York metropolitan area. The Post provides a variety of general interest content ranging from breaking news to business analysis, and is known in particular for

 

7


Table of Contents

its comprehensive sports coverage, famous headlines and its iconic Page Six section, an authority on celebrity news. The print version of the Post is primarily distributed in New York, where it is printed in a printing facility in the Bronx, as well as throughout the Northeast, Florida and California, where it uses Dow Jones’s printing facilities or third party printers. For the three months ended June 30, 2016, average weekday circulation based on AAM data, including smartphone and tablet app digital editions, was 418,857. In addition, the Post Digital Network, which includes NYPost.com, PageSix.com and Decider.com, reached approximately 49 million unique users on average each month during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 according to Google Analytics.

News America Marketing

News America Marketing (“NAM”) is the premier marketing partner of some of the world’s most well-known brands, and its broad portfolio of products and services influences the purchasing decisions of online and offline shoppers across the U.S. and Canada. NAM’s marketing solutions are available via multiple distribution channels, including publications, in stores and online, primarily under the SmartSource brand name and through the Checkout 51 mobile application.

NAM provides customers with solutions across the shopper’s path to purchase, focusing primarily on the following three business areas:

 

   

Home-Delivered: NAM is one of the leading providers of home-delivered shopper media, including free-standing inserts and direct mail products. Free-standing inserts are multiple-page marketing booklets containing coupons, rebates and other consumer offers, which are distributed to millions of households under the SmartSource Magazine® brand through insertion primarily into local Sunday publications. Advertisers, primarily packaged goods companies, pay NAM to produce free-standing inserts where their offers are featured, often on an exclusive basis within their product category. NAM contracts with and pays publishers as well as printers, among others, to produce and/or distribute free-standing inserts in their papers.

 

   

In-Store Advertising and Merchandising: NAM is a leading provider of in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers. NAM’s marketing products include: at-shelf advertising such as coupon, information and sample-dispensing machines, as well as floor and shopping cart advertising, among others, and are found in thousands of shopping locations, including supermarkets, drug stores, dollar stores, office supply stores, mass merchandisers and specialty stores across North America. NAM also provides in-store merchandising services, including production and installation of instant-redeemable coupons, on-pack stickers, shipper assembly, display set-up and refilling, shelf management and new product cut-ins.

 

   

Mobile/Digital: NAM’s digital marketing solutions include SmartSource Digital, which encompasses secure printable couponing, load-to-card couponing, targeted email campaigns and programmatic digital display, and the Checkout 51 mobile application, a leading receipt recognition app that enables packaged goods companies and brands to reach consumers with highly personalized marketing campaigns.

NAM believes its programs have key advantages when compared to other marketing options available to packaged goods companies, retailers and other marketers. NAM offers effective and targeted programs that reach a national audience of consumers who are actively seeking incentives or information at critical points along the path to purchase.

The Company’s News and Information Services products compete with a wide range of media businesses, including print publications, digital media and information services.

The Company’s newspapers, magazines and digital publications compete for readership and advertising with local and national newspapers, web and application-based media, social media sources and other media such as television, magazines, outdoor displays and radio. Competition for subscriptions and circulation is

 

8


Table of Contents

based on the news and editorial content, subscription pricing, cover price and, from time to time, various promotions. Competition for advertising is based upon advertisers’ judgments as to the most effective media for their advertising budgets, which is in turn based upon various factors including circulation volume, readership levels, audience demographics, advertising rates and advertising effectiveness results. As a result of rapidly changing and evolving technologies, distribution platforms and business models, the consumer-focused businesses within the Company’s News and Information Services segment, including its newspaper businesses, continue to face increasing competition for both circulation and advertising revenue from a variety of alternative news and information sources. These include both paid and free websites, digital applications, news aggregators, blogs, search engines, social media platforms, digital advertising networks and exchanges, bidding and other programmatic advertising buying channels, as well as other emerging media and distribution platforms. Shifts in consumer behavior, including the widespread adoption of mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices as platforms through which news and information is consumed, require the Company to continually innovate and improve upon its own products, services and platforms in order to remain competitive. The Company believes that these changes will continue to pose opportunities and challenges, and that it is well positioned to leverage its global reach, brand recognition and proprietary technology to take advantage of the opportunities presented by these changes.

Dow Jones professional information products that target enterprise customers compete with various information service providers, compliance data providers and global financial newswires, including Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg L.P., LexisNexis, as well as many other providers of news, information and compliance data.

NAM competes against other providers of advertising, marketing and merchandising products and services, including those that provide promotional or advertising inserts, direct mailers of promotional or advertising materials, providers of point-of-purchase and other in-store programs and providers of savings and/or grocery-focused digital applications, as well as other marketing products and services. Competition is based on, among other things, rates, availability of markets, quality of products and services provided and their effectiveness, rate of coupon redemption, store coverage and other factors. The Company believes that based on the scale of NAM’s home-delivered products, the reach of its in-store marketing products and the growing audience for its digital marketing platform, NAM provides broader consumer access than many of its competitors.

Book Publishing

The Company’s Book Publishing segment consists of HarperCollins Publishers (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “HarperCollins”), the second largest consumer book publisher in the world based on global revenue, with operations in 18 countries. HarperCollins publishes and distributes consumer books globally through print, digital and audio formats. Its digital formats include e-books for devices such as tablets and e-book readers, as well as audio downloads for smartphones and MP3 players. HarperCollins owns more than 120 branded imprints, including Avon, Harper, HarperCollins Children’s Books, William Morrow, Harlequin and Christian publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson.

HarperCollins publishes works by well-known authors such as Harper Lee, Mitch Albom, Veronica Roth, Rick Warren, Sarah Young and Agatha Christie and popular titles such as The Hobbit, Goodnight Moon, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jesus Calling and the Divergent series. Its print and digital global catalog includes more than 200,000 publications in different formats, in 17 languages, and it licenses rights for its authors’ works to be published in more than 50 languages around the world. HarperCollins publishes fiction and nonfiction, with a focus on general, children’s and religious content. Additionally, in the U.K., HarperCollins publishes titles for the equivalent of the K-12 educational market.

As of June 30, 2016, HarperCollins offered approximately 100,000 publications in digital formats, and nearly all of HarperCollins’ new titles, as well as the majority of its entire catalog, are available as e-books. Digital sales, comprising revenues generated through the sale of e-books as well as digital audio books,

 

9


Table of Contents

represented approximately 19% of global consumer revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. With the widespread adoption of electronic formats by consumers, HarperCollins is publishing a number of titles in digital formats before, or instead of, publishing a print edition.

During fiscal 2016, HarperCollins U.S. had 239 titles on the New York Times print and digital bestseller lists, with 30 titles hitting number one, including Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime by Ree Drummond, The English Spy by Daniel Silva, The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard and Pax by Sara Pennypacker.

HarperCollins derives its revenue from the sale of print and digital books to a customer base that includes global technology companies, traditional brick and mortar booksellers, wholesale clubs and discount stores, including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble and Tesco. Revenues at the Book Publishing segment are significantly affected by the timing of releases and the number of HarperCollins’ books in the marketplace, and are typically highest during the Company’s second fiscal quarter due to increased demand during the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies.

The book publishing business operates in a highly competitive market that is quickly changing and continues to see technological innovations. HarperCollins competes with other large publishers, such as Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and Hachette Livre, as well as with numerous smaller publishers, for the rights to works by well-known authors and public personalities; competition could also come from new entrants as barriers to entry in book publishing are low. In addition, HarperCollins competes for readership with other media formats and sources. The Company believes HarperCollins is well positioned in the evolving book publishing market with significant size and brand recognition across multiple categories and geographies. Furthermore, HarperCollins is a leader in children’s and religious books, categories which have been less impacted by the transition to digital consumption.

Digital Real Estate Services

The Company’s Digital Real Estate Services segment consists primarily of its 61.6% interest in REA Group Limited (“REA Group”), a publicly-traded company listed on ASX (ASX: REA), and its 80% interest in Move, Inc. (“Move”). The remaining 20% interest in Move is held by REA Group. This segment also includes DIAKRIT International Limited (“DIAKRIT”), a digital visualization solutions company that enables homeowners to see the potential in their future living environment while also helping agents and developers generate more buyer inquiries and accelerate their property sales processes.

REA Group

REA Group advertises property and property-related services on websites and mobile applications across Australia, Europe and Asia. REA Group’s Australian operations include realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au, Australia’s leading residential and commercial property websites, as well as its media and property-related services businesses, serving the display media market and markets adjacent to property, respectively. Realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au together had approximately 45 million average monthly visits for the year ended June 30, 2016 according to Nielsen Online Market Intelligence Home and Fashion Suite. Realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au also recorded an increase of 81% in average monthly application visits for the same period as compared to the prior year according to Adobe Analytics. Realestate.com.au derives the majority of its revenue from its core property advertising listing products and monthly advertising subscriptions from real estate agents and property developers. Realestate.com.au offers a product hierarchy which enables real estate agents and property developers to upgrade listing advertisements to increase their prominence on the site, as well as a variety of targeted products, including media display advertising products. Realcommercial.com.au generates revenue through three main sources: agent subscriptions,

 

10


Table of Contents

agent branding and listing products. The media business offers unique advertising opportunities on both realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au, as well as native advertisement placements. Revenue from this business is generated primarily from agents and commercial developers, which benefit from being able to target REA Group’s substantial audience base.

REA Group’s international operations include property sites in Asia and Europe. In Asia, REA Group increased its interest in iProperty Group Limited (“iProperty”) to 86.9% in February 2016. iProperty operates leading property sites throughout Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Hong Kong, and prominent portals in Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. The combined sites for iProperty had approximately 7.4 million average monthly visits for the year ended June 30, 2016 according to Google Analytics. REA Group also operates a Chinese site, myfun.com, which supports REA Group’s businesses in other geographical markets by showcasing residential property listings to Chinese buyers and investors, and delivers leads to agents. In Europe, REA Group operates sites in Italy (casa.it) and in Luxembourg and regions of France (atHome.lu, atHome.de, immoRegion.fr and atOffice.lu). Average monthly visits to the combined European sites increased 15% for the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to the prior year according to Adobe Analytics.

REA Group competes primarily with other property websites in its geographic markets, including domain.com.au in Australia.

Move

Move is a leading provider of online real estate services in the U.S. Move primarily operates realtor.com®, a premier real estate information and services marketplace, under a perpetual agreement and trademark license with the National Association of Realtors® (“NAR”). Through realtor.com®, consumers have access to over 100 million properties across the U.S., including the most complete collection of homes and properties listed with Multiple Listing Services (“MLS”) and displayed for sale among the competing national online portals and an extensive database of “off-market” properties. Realtor.com® and its related mobile applications display approximately 98% of all MLS-listed, for-sale properties in the U.S., which are primarily sourced directly from relationships with MLSs across the country. Over 90% of its for-sale listings are updated at least every 15 minutes, on average, with the remaining listings updated daily. Realtor.com®’s substantial content advantage attracts a highly engaged consumer audience. Based on internal data, realtor.com® and its mobile sites had 53 million average monthly unique users during the quarter ended June 30, 2016. These users viewed an average of over 1.8 billion pages and spent an average of over 1.1 billion minutes on the realtor.com® website and mobile applications each month.

Realtor.com® generates the majority of its revenues through the sale of listing advertisement products, including Connection for Co-Brokerage, ShowcaseSM Listing Enhancements and Featured HomesSM, which allow real estate agents, brokers and franchises to enhance, prioritize and connect with consumers on for-sale property listings within the realtor.com® website and mobile applications. Listing advertisements are typically sold on a subscription basis. Realtor.com® also derives revenue from sales of non-listing advertisement, or Media, products to real estate, finance, insurance, home improvement and other professionals that enable those professionals to connect with realtor.com®’s highly engaged and valuable consumer audience. Media products include sponsorships, display advertisements, text links, directories, and Digital Advertising Package. Non-listing advertisement pricing models include cost per thousand, cost per click, cost per unique user and subscription-based sponsorships of specific content areas or targeted geographies.

In addition to realtor.com®, Move also offers a number of professional software and services products. These include the Top Producer® and TigerLead® productivity and lead management tools and services, which are tailored to real estate agents and sold on a subscription basis, as well as the ListHubTM service, which syndicates for-sale listing information from MLSs and other reliable data sources, such as real estate brokerages,

 

11


Table of Contents

and distributes that content to an array of web sites. Listing syndication pricing includes fixed- or variable-pricing models based on listing counts, while ListHubTM’s advanced reporting products are sold on a monthly subscription basis.

Move competes primarily with other real estate websites focused on the U.S. real estate market, including zillow.com and trulia.com.

Cable Network Programming

The Company’s Cable Network Programming segment consists of FOX SPORTS Australia, the leading sports programming provider in Australia based on total viewing hours as of June 30, 2016. FOX SPORTS Australia is focused on live national and international sports events and provides featured original and licensed premium sports content tailored to the Australian market, including live sports such as National Rugby League, the domestic football league, international cricket, as well as the Australian Rugby Union. FOX SPORTS Australia offers seven high definition television channels distributed via cable, satellite and Internet Protocol, or IP, and several interactive viewing applications. Its channels consist of FOX SPORTS 1, FOX SPORTS 2, FOX SPORTS 3, FOX SPORTS 4, FOX SPORTS 5, FOX FOOTY and FOX SPORTS NEWS that broadcast over 12,000 hours of live sports programming per year reaching FOXTEL, Telstra and Optus subscription television customers. FOX SPORTS Australia’s access to compelling local and international sports programming, as well as its production of high-quality original sports content has made it the leading sports programming provider in Australia. FOX SPORTS Australia also operates foxsports.com.au, a leading general sports website in Australia, and offers several interactive mobile and tablet applications that extend the reach of its content across multiple platforms. FOX SPORTS Australia is distributed via longstanding carriage agreements with pay-TV providers (mainly Foxtel) in Australia and generates revenue primarily through affiliate fees payable under these carriage agreements, as well as advertising sales. Results at the Cable Network Programming segment can fluctuate due to the timing and mix of the Company’s local and international sports programming, as expenses associated with licensing these programming rights are recognized during the applicable season or event.

FOX SPORTS Australia competes primarily with ESPN, beIN SPORTS, the Free-To-Air (“FTA”) channels and certain telecommunications companies in Australia.

Other

The Other segment includes the Company’s general corporate overhead expenses, corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The Company’s corporate Strategy and Creative Group was formed to identify new products and services across the Company’s businesses to increase revenues and profitability and to target and assess potential acquisitions and investments. Initiatives include the News Corp Global Exchange, the Company’s global programmatic advertising exchange that enables marketers to leverage the Company’s leading online and mobile products and first-party data for real-time bidding, as well as the Company’s BallBall platform in Southeast Asia, which combines the Company’s rights to exclusive football highlight clips, expert coverage, commentary and analysis from The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun. As part of its ongoing role in assessing potential acquisitions and investments, the corporate Strategy and Creative Group also oversaw the Company’s acquisitions of Move, a leading provider of online real estate services in the U.S., and Unruly, a leading global video advertising distribution platform, as well as its strategic digital investments in India, including Elara Technologies, which owns PropTiger.com.

Equity Investments

Foxtel

The Company and Telstra, an ASX-listed telecommunications company, each own 50% of Foxtel, the largest pay-TV provider in Australia. Foxtel had more than 2.9 million subscribing households throughout Australia as of June 30, 2016 through cable, satellite and IP distribution.

 

12


Table of Contents

Foxtel delivers 200 channels (including standard definition channels, high definition versions of some of those channels, and audio and interactive channels) covering news, sports, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. Foxtel’s premium content includes FOX SPORTS Australia’s suite of sports channels such as FOX SPORTS 1, FOX SPORTS 2, FOX SPORTS 3, FOX SPORTS 4, FOX SPORTS 5, FOX FOOTY and FOX SPORTS NEWS, and TV content from HBO, FOX and Universal, among others. Foxtel also owns and operates 30 channels, including general entertainment and movie channels, and sources an extensive range of movie programming through arrangements with major U.S. studios. Foxtel’s channels are distributed to subscribers via both Telstra’s hybrid fibrecoaxial cable network and a long-term contracted satellite platform provided by Optus. Cable and satellite distribution is enabled by Foxtel’s set-top boxes, including the iQ3, Foxtel’s newest box. Foxtel also offers versions of its services via the Internet through Telstra’s T-Box platform, Foxtel Play, an Internet television service available on a number of compatible devices (including the Sony PlayStation platform, select Samsung, LG and Sony televisions, select Samsung Blu-ray players and personal computers), and Foxtel Go, an Internet television service that allows subscribers to watch Foxtel channels via mobile devices and tablets. In addition, Foxtel has a subscription video-on-demand service called Presto that distributes movies and television programming to subscribers. Foxtel owns Presto Movies, while Presto TV is operated under a joint venture with a subsidiary of Seven West Media Limited. Foxtel also offers a triple play bundle product, which consists of Foxtel’s existing pay-TV services, sold together with broadband and/or home phone services.

Foxtel generates revenue primarily through subscription revenue as well as advertising revenue. For the year ended June 30, 2016, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), Foxtel recorded revenues of $2.4 billion and earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of $604 million. Management believes that EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of this business for the reasons set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Segment Analysis” with respect to Segment EBITDA. In the year ended June 30, 2016, Foxtel’s average broadcast residential recurring subscription revenue per user, or ARPU, was A$89 (US$65) per month (as calculated by Foxtel), and its annualized residential subscriber churn rate based on data for the year ended June 30, 2016 was 12.2% (as calculated by Foxtel). In addition, Foxtel had $1.8 billion of indebtedness outstanding as of June 30, 2016 (excluding $676 million of shareholder loans due to Telstra and the Company), and paid distributions of $26 million to the Company during the year ended June 30, 2016. The amount included for Foxtel in the Company’s Equity earnings of affiliates was $38 million for the year ended June 30, 2016.

The Company and Telstra each have the right to appoint one-half of the board of directors of Foxtel. In addition, the Company has the right to appoint the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Foxtel, while Telstra has the right to terminate these officers.

Foxtel competes for audiences primarily with FTA TV operators in Australia, including the three major commercial FTA networks and two major government-funded FTA broadcasters, as well as other pay-TV operators, IP television providers and subscription video-on-demand services such as Fetch TV, Netflix and Stan. Foxtel provides a 200-channel selection with premium and exclusive content and a wide array of digital and mobile features that are not available to viewers on these alternative providers. Through innovations such as digital HD channels, the extension of pay-TV programming to mobile devices, the use of DVR and Electronic Program Guide technology, including the iQ3 set-top box, its investment in On Demand capability and programming and benefits through broadband bundling, the Company believes Foxtel offers subscribers a compelling alternative to its competitors.

Governmental Regulation

General

Various aspects of the Company’s activities are subject to regulation in numerous jurisdictions around the world. The Company believes that it is in material compliance with the requirements imposed by those laws and

 

13


Table of Contents

regulations described herein. The introduction of new laws and regulations in countries where the Company’s products and services are produced or distributed (and changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations in those countries) could have a negative impact on the Company’s interests.

Australian Media Regulation

The Company’s subscription television interests are subject to Australia’s regulatory framework for the broadcasting industry. The key regulatory body for the Australian broadcasting industry is the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Key regulatory issues for subscription television providers include: (a) anti-siphoning restrictions—currently under the ‘anti-siphoning’ provisions of the Australian Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth), subscription television providers are prevented from acquiring rights to televise certain listed events (for example, the Olympic Games and certain Australian Rules football and cricket matches) unless national and commercial television broadcasters have not obtained these rights 12 weeks before the start of the event or the rights to televise are also held by commercial television licensees who have rights to televise the event to more than 50% of the Australian population or the rights to televise are also held by one of Australia’s two major government-funded broadcasters; and (b) the Broadcasting Services Act also may impact the Company’s ownership structure and operations and restrict its ability to take advantage of acquisition or investment opportunities including, for example, preventing it from exercising control of a commercial television broadcasting license, a commercial radio license and a newspaper in the same license area.

Data Privacy and Security

Our business activities are subject to laws and regulations governing the collection, use, sharing, protection and retention of personal data, which continue to evolve and have implications for how such data is managed. For example, in the U.S., certain of the Company’s websites, mobile applications and other online business activities are subject to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, which prohibits websites from collecting personally identifiable information online from children under age 13 without prior parental consent. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) continues to expand its application of general consumer protection laws to commercial data practices, including to the use of personal and profiling data from online users to deliver targeted Internet advertisements. Most states have also enacted legislation regulating data privacy and security, including laws requiring businesses to provide notice to state agencies and to individuals whose personally identifiable information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach.

Similar laws and regulations have been implemented in many of the other jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including the European Union and Australia. Recently, the European Union adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which is intended to provide a uniform set of rules for personal data processing throughout the European Union and to replace the existing Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC). Fully enforceable by May 25, 2018, the GDPR expands the regulation of the collection, processing, use and security of personal data, contains stringent conditions for consent from data subjects, strengthens the rights of individuals, including the right to have personal data deleted upon request, continues to restrict the trans-border flow of such data, requires mandatory data breach reporting and notification, increases penalties for non-compliance and increases the enforcement powers of the data protection authorities. Also, in 2015, the European Court of Justice invalidated the U.S.-E.U. Safe Harbor framework, one of the legal mechanisms through which personal data could be transferred from the European Union to the United States, and the mechanism relied upon by the Company with respect to certain personal data transfers among the Company’s businesses, and between the Company and some of its third party service providers. The Company has been putting into place, and working with its third party service providers to implement, alternative legal mechanisms for cross-border personal data transfers. In Australia, data privacy laws impose additional requirements on organizations that handle personal data by, among other things, requiring the disclosure of cross-border data transfers and placing restrictions on direct marketing practices, and additional data privacy and security requirements and industry standards are under consideration.

 

14


Table of Contents

In response to such developments, industry participants in the U.S., Europe and Australia have taken steps to increase compliance with relevant industry-level standards and practices, including the implementation of self-regulatory regimes for online behavioral advertising that impose obligations on participating companies, such as the Company, to give consumers a better understanding of advertisements that are customized based on their online behavior. The Company continues to monitor pending legislation and regulatory initiatives to ascertain relevance, analyze impact and develop strategic direction surrounding regulatory trends and developments, including any changes required in the Company’s data privacy and security compliance programs.

U.K. Press Regulation

As a result of the implementation of recommendations of the Leveson inquiry into the U.K. press, which was established by Prime Minister David Cameron in mid-2011, a Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press was granted in 2013, which established a Recognition Panel responsible for approving, overseeing and monitoring a new press regulatory body or bodies. Once approved by the Recognition Panel, the new press regulatory body or bodies would be responsible for overseeing participating publishers. No such regulator has yet been approved by the Recognition Panel, although it is currently considering an application by a newly-formed independent body, IMPRESS. In addition to the Royal Charter and establishment of the new Recognition Panel, legislation has been passed that provides that publishers who do not participate in this new U.K. press regulatory system may be liable for exemplary damages in certain cases where such damages are not currently awarded.

In late 2013, publications representing the majority of the industry in the U.K., including News UK, entered into binding contracts to form an alternative new regulator instead, which is referred to as the Independent Press Standards Organisation, or IPSO. IPSO, which began operating in September 2014, currently has no plans to apply for recognition from the Recognition Panel. IPSO has an independent chairman and a 12-member board, the majority of which are independent. IPSO oversees the Editors’ Code of Practice, requires members to implement appropriate internal governance processes and requires self-reporting of any failures, provides a complaints handling service, has the ability to require publications to print corrections and has the power to investigate serious or systemic breaches of the Editors’ Code and levy fines of up to £1 million. IPSO is also considering the introduction of an arbitration scheme to resolve claims against publications. IPSO imposes burdens on the print media, including the Company’s newspaper businesses in the U.K., which may result in competitive disadvantages versus other forms of media and may increase the costs of compliance

Intellectual Property

The Company’s intellectual property assets include: copyrights in newspapers, books, television programming and other content and technologies; trademarks in names and logos; trade names; domain names; and licenses of intellectual property rights. In addition, its intellectual property assets include patents or patent applications for inventions related to its products, business methods and/or services, none of which are material to its financial condition or results of operations. The Company derives value and revenue from these assets through, among other things, print and digital newspaper and magazine subscriptions and sales, the sale, distribution and/or licensing of print and digital books, the sale of subscriptions to its content and information services, the operation of websites and other digital properties and the distribution and/or licensing of its television programming to cable and satellite television services.

The Company devotes significant resources to protecting its intellectual property assets in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and other foreign territories. To protect these assets, the Company relies upon a combination of copyright, trademark, unfair competition, patent, trade secret and other laws and contract provisions. However, there can be no assurance of the degree to which these measures will be successful in any given case. Policing unauthorized use of the Company’s products, services and content and related intellectual property is often difficult and the steps taken may not in every case prevent the infringement by unauthorized third parties of the Company’s intellectual property. The Company seeks to limit such threat through a combination of approaches, including pursuing legal sanctions for infringement, promoting appropriate legislative initiatives and

 

15


Table of Contents

international treaties and enhancing public awareness of the meaning and value of intellectual property and intellectual property laws. Piracy, including in the digital environment, continues to present a threat to revenues from products and services based on intellectual property.

Third parties may challenge the validity or scope of the Company’s intellectual property from time to time, and such challenges could result in the limitation or loss of intellectual property rights. Irrespective of their validity, such claims may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources that could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations. Moreover, effective intellectual property protection may be either unavailable or limited in certain foreign territories. Therefore, the Company engages in efforts to strengthen and update intellectual property protection around the world, including efforts to ensure the effective enforcement of intellectual property laws and remedies for infringement.

Raw Materials

As a major publisher of newspapers, magazines, free-standing inserts and books, the Company utilizes substantial quantities of various types of paper. In order to obtain the best available prices, substantially all of the Company’s paper purchasing is done on a regional, volume purchase basis, and draws upon major paper manufacturing countries around the world. The Company believes that under present market conditions, its sources of paper supply used in its publishing activities are adequate.

Employees

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had approximately 24,000 employees, of whom approximately 9,000 were located in the U.S., 4,000 were located in the U.K. and 8,000 were located in Australia. Of the Company’s employees, approximately 5,000 were represented by various employee unions. The contracts with such unions will expire during various times over the next several years. The Company believes its current relationships with employees are generally good.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in evaluating the Company and its common stock. Any of the following risks, or other risks or uncertainties not presently known or currently deemed immaterial, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition, and could, in turn, impact the trading price of the Company’s common stock. The risk factors generally have been separated into three groups: risks related to the Company’s business, risks related to the Company’s Separation from 21st Century Fox and risks related to the Company’s common stock.

Risks Related to the Company’s Business

A Decline in Customer Advertising Expenditures in the Company’s Newspaper and Other Businesses Could Cause its Revenues and Operating Results to Decline Significantly in any Given Period or in Specific Markets.

The Company derives substantial revenues from the sale of advertising through its newspapers, integrated marketing services and digital media properties. The Company and its affiliates also derive revenues from the sale of advertising on their cable channels and pay-TV programming. Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions, as well as budgeting and buying patterns. National and local economic conditions, particularly in major metropolitan markets, affect the levels of retail, national and classified newspaper advertising revenue. Changes in gross domestic product, consumer spending, housing sales, auto sales, unemployment rates and job creation all impact demand for advertising. A decline in the economic prospects of advertisers or the economy in general could alter current or prospective advertisers’ spending priorities or result in consolidation or closures across various industries, which may also reduce the Company’s overall advertising revenue.

 

16


Table of Contents

The Company’s ability to generate advertising revenue is also dependent on demand for the Company’s products and services, demographics of the customer base, advertising rates and results observed by advertisers. For example, circulation levels for the Company’s newspapers and ratings points for its cable channels are among the factors that are weighed by advertisers when determining the amount of advertising to purchase from the Company as well as advertising rates. For the Company’s digital media properties, advertisers use various metrics to evaluate demand such as the number of visits, number of users, user engagement and, for digital real estate services, the number and quality of leads provided. Demand for the Company’s products and services depends in turn upon the Company’s ability to differentiate and distinguish those products and services and anticipate and adapt to changes in consumer tastes and behaviors in a timely manner. Technological and other developments may cause changes in consumer behavior that could affect the attractiveness of the Company’s offerings to advertisers.

The increasing popularity of digital media among consumers as a source of news and other content is driving a corresponding shift in advertising from traditional print to digital. The development of new devices and technologies, as well as higher consumer engagement with other forms of digital media such as online and mobile social networking, are increasing the number of media choices and formats available to audiences, resulting in audience fragmentation and increased competition for advertising. The range of advertising choices across digital products and platforms and the large inventory of available digital advertising space have historically resulted in significantly lower rates for digital advertising than for print advertising. In addition, in the past, rates have been generally lower for mobile advertising than for desktop advertising. As a result, increasing consumer reliance on mobile devices may add additional pricing pressure. Consequently, the Company’s digital advertising revenue may not be able to replace print advertising revenue lost as a result of the shift to digital consumption.

The digital advertising market also continues to undergo significant changes that may further impact digital advertising revenues. Digital advertising networks and exchanges, real-time bidding and other programmatic buying channels that allow advertisers to buy audiences at scale are playing a more significant role in the advertising marketplace and may cause further downward pricing pressure. New delivery platforms may also lead to loss of distribution and pricing control and loss of a direct relationship with consumers. In addition, evolving standards for the delivery of digital advertising, including the industry-wide standard on viewability, as well as the development and adoption of technology designed to block the display of advertising on websites and mobile devices, may also negatively impact digital advertising revenues. As the digital advertising market continues to evolve, the Company’s ability to compete successfully for advertising budgets will depend on, among other things, its ability to drive scale, engage digital audiences and prove the value of its advertising and the effectiveness of the Company’s platforms to its advertising customers, including through more targeted, data-driven offerings.

While the Company has adopted a number of strategies and initiatives to address these challenges, there can be no guarantee that its efforts will be successful. If the Company is unable to demonstrate the continuing value of its print and digital platforms and high-quality content and brands or offer advertisers unique multi-platform advertising programs, its results may suffer. A decrease in advertising expenditures by the Company’s customers, reduced demand for the Company’s offerings or a surplus of advertising inventory could lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising spending, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s businesses and assets.

The Company’s Businesses Face Significant Competition from Other Sources of News, Information and Entertainment Content.

The Company’s businesses face significant competition from other sources of news, information and entertainment content, including both traditional and new content providers. This competition has intensified as a result of the continued development of new digital and other technologies and platforms, and the Company may be adversely affected if consumers migrate to other media alternatives. For example, advertising and circulation revenues in the Company’s News and Information Services segment may continue to decline, reflecting general

 

17


Table of Contents

trends in the newspaper industry such as declining newspaper buying by younger audiences and consumers’ increasing reliance on a variety of content providers, including news aggregation websites and customized news feeds, for the delivery of news and information through the Internet, often without charge. Internet sites and mobile applications devoted to recruitment, automobile sales and real estate services have become significant competitors of the Company’s newspapers and websites for classified advertising sales. In addition, due to innovations in content distribution platforms, consumers are now more readily able to watch Internet-delivered content on television sets and mobile devices, in some cases also without charge, which could reduce consumer demand for the Company and its affiliates’ television programming and pay-TV services and adversely affect both its subscription revenue and advertisers’ willingness to purchase television advertising from the Company.

The Company’s ability to compete effectively depends upon its ability to differentiate and distinguish its products and services and anticipate and adapt to changes in consumer tastes and behaviors, which in turn, depends on many factors both within and beyond its control. For example, the Company relies on audience acceptance of the high-quality content in its newspapers, book titles, cable channels and pay-TV programming in order to retain and grow their audiences. Similarly, the success of the Company’s digital real estate services business depends in part on providing more comprehensive, current and accurate real estate listing data than its competitors, which the Company generally obtains through short-term arrangements with MLSs, real estate brokers, real estate agents and other third parties that may not be renewed and/or may be terminated with limited or no notice. Online traffic is also driven by internet search results, and any failure to successfully manage and adapt to changes in search engine optimization across the Company’s businesses could result in significant decreases in traffic to our digital properties, lower advertiser interest in those properties and increased costs if free traffic is replaced with paid traffic.

Some of the Company’s current and potential competitors may have greater resources or better competitive positions in certain areas than it does, which may allow them to respond more effectively to new technologies and changes in market conditions. If the Company is unable to compete successfully against existing or future competitors, its business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

The Company Must Respond to New Technologies and Changes in Consumer Behavior and Continue to Innovate and Provide Useful Products in Order to Remain Competitive.

Technology continues to evolve rapidly, and the resulting changes in consumer behavior and preferences create constant opportunities for new and existing competitors that can quickly render the Company’s products and services less valuable. For example, alternative methods for the delivery, storage and consumption of digital content, including the distribution of news and other content through social networking tools and on mobile and other devices, digital distribution models for books and Internet and mobile distribution of video content via streaming and downloading, have empowered consumers to seek more control over when, where and how they consume digital content. Content owners are increasingly delivering their content directly to consumers over the Internet, often without charge, and consumers are able to view such Internet-delivered content on portable devices and televisions. Enhanced Internet capabilities and the development of new media channels may continue to reduce the demand for newspapers and television viewership, which could negatively affect the Company’s revenues.

Other digital platforms and technologies, such as user-generated sites and self-publishing tools, have also reduced the effort and expense of producing and distributing content on a wide scale, allowing digital content providers, customers, suppliers and other third parties to compete with us, often at a lower cost. This trend may drive down the price consumers are willing to spend on the Company’s products disproportionately to the costs associated with generating content and result in relatively low barriers to entry for competing Internet-based products and services. Additional digital distribution channels, such as the Internet and online retailers, have presented, and may continue to present, challenges to the Company’s businesses, including its traditional book publishing model, which could adversely affect sales volume and/or pricing.

 

18


Table of Contents

In order to succeed, the Company must continue to innovate to ensure that its products and services remain relevant and useful for consumers and customers. The Company may be required to incur significant capital expenditures in order to respond to new technologies, new and enhanced offerings from its competitors, and changes in consumer behavior, and there is a risk that its responses and strategies to remain competitive, including distribution of its content on a “pay” basis, may not be adopted by consumers. The Company’s failure to protect and exploit the value of its content, while responding to and developing new technologies, products, services and business models to take advantage of advancements in technology and the latest consumer preferences could cause its customer, audience and/or user base to decline, in some cases precipitously, and could have a significant adverse effect on its businesses, asset values and results of operations.

The Inability to Renew Sports Programming Rights Could Cause the Revenue of Certain of the Company’s Australian Operating Businesses to Decline Significantly in any Given Period, and Programming Costs Could Also Increase Upon Renewal.

The sports rights contracts between certain of the Company’s Australian operating businesses, on the one hand, and various professional sports leagues and teams, on the other, have varying duration and renewal terms. As these contracts expire, renewals on favorable terms may be sought; however, third parties may outbid the current rights holders for the rights contracts. In addition, professional sports leagues or teams may create their own networks or the renewal costs could substantially exceed the original contract cost. The loss of rights could impact the extent of the sports coverage offered by the Company and lead to customer dissatisfaction or, in some cases, loss of customers, which could, in turn, adversely affect its revenues. Upon renewal, the Company’s results could be adversely affected if escalations in sports programming rights costs are unmatched by increases in subscriber and carriage fees and advertising rates.

Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Have an Adverse Effect on the Company’s Results of Operations.

The Company has significant operations in a number of foreign jurisdictions and certain of its operations are conducted in foreign currencies, primarily the Australian dollar and the British pound sterling. Since the Company’s financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars, changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies have had, and will continue to have, a currency translation impact on the Company’s earnings, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on its results of operations in a given period or in specific markets.

Weak Domestic and Global Economic Conditions and Volatility and Disruption in the Financial and Other Markets May Adversely Affect the Company’s Business.

The U.S. and global economies have undergone periods of economic uncertainty which resulted in, among other things, a general tightening in the credit markets, limited access to the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, lower consumer and business spending, lower consumer net worth and a dramatic decline in the real estate market. The resulting pressure on the labor and retail markets and the downturn in consumer confidence weakened the economic climate in certain markets in which the Company does business and had an adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, including advertising revenues. Any continued or recurring economic weakness could further impact the Company’s business, reduce its advertising and other revenues and negatively impact the performance of its newspapers, books, digital real estate services business, television operations and other consumer products and services. In addition, further volatility and disruption in the financial markets could make it more difficult and expensive for the Company to obtain financing. These conditions could also impair the ability of those with whom the Company does business to satisfy their obligations to the Company, including as a result of their inability to obtain capital on acceptable terms. The Company is particularly exposed to certain Australian business risks, including specific Australian legal and regulatory risks, consumer preferences and competition, because it holds a substantial amount of Australian assets. As a result, the Company’s results of operations may

 

19


Table of Contents

be adversely affected by negative developments in the Australian market. The Company also has significant operations in the U.K., which recently voted in a referendum to leave the European Union. While the referendum is advisory, the U.K. Government has stated that it intends to give effect to the results of the vote. An exit of the U.K. from the European Union could significantly affect the fiscal, monetary and regulatory landscape in the U.K., lead other member countries to consider leaving the European Union, result in additional volatility and disruption in the financial and other markets and have an adverse impact on the Company’s businesses in the U.K. and elsewhere. Although the Company believes that its capitalization, operating cash flow and current access to credit markets, including the Company’s revolving credit facility, will give it the ability to meet its financial needs for the foreseeable future, there can be no assurance that any further volatility and disruption in domestic and global capital and credit markets will not impair the Company’s liquidity or increase its cost of borrowing.

The Company Has Made and May Continue to Make Strategic Acquisitions and Investments That Introduce Significant Risks and Uncertainties.

In order to position its business to take advantage of growth opportunities, the Company has made and may continue to make strategic acquisitions and investments that involve significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: (1) the difficulty in integrating newly acquired businesses and operations in an efficient and effective manner, (2) the challenges in achieving strategic objectives, cost savings and other anticipated benefits, (3) the potential loss of key employees of the acquired businesses, (4) with respect to investments, risks associated with the inability to control the operations of the business, (5) the risk of diverting the attention of the Company’s senior management from the Company’s operations, (6) the risks associated with integrating financial reporting and internal control systems, (7) the difficulties in expanding information technology systems and other business processes to accommodate the acquired businesses, (8) potential future impairments of goodwill associated with the acquired business or investment and (9) in some cases, increased regulation.

If any acquired business or investment fails to operate as anticipated or an acquired business cannot be successfully integrated with the Company’s existing businesses, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected, and the Company may be required to record non-cash impairment charges for the write-down of certain acquired assets.

The Company Does Not Have the Right to Manage Foxtel, Which Means It is Not Able to Cause Foxtel to Operate or Make Corporate Decisions in a Manner that is Favorable to the Company.

The Company does not have the right to manage the business or affairs of Foxtel. While the Company’s rights include the right to appoint one-half of the board of directors of Foxtel, the Company is not able to cause management or the board of directors to take any specific actions on its behalf, including with regards to declaring and paying dividends.

The Company Relies on Network and Information Systems and Other Technology Whose Failure or Misuse Could Cause a Disruption of Services or Loss or Improper Disclosure of Personal Data, Business Information, Including Intellectual Property, or Other Confidential Information, Resulting in Increased Costs or Loss of Revenue.

Network and information systems and other technologies, including those related to the Company’s network management, are important to its business activities. The Company also relies on third party providers for certain technology and “cloud-based” systems and services that support a variety of business operations. Network and information systems-related events affecting the Company’s systems, or those of third parties upon which the Company’s business relies, such as computer hackings, computer viruses, worms or other destructive or disruptive software, process breakdowns, denial of service attacks, malicious social engineering or other malicious activities, or any combination of the foregoing, as well as power outages, equipment failure, natural disasters (including extreme weather), terrorist activities, human error or malfeasance that may affect such

 

20


Table of Contents

systems, could result in disruption of the Company’s business and/or loss or improper disclosure of personal data, business information, including intellectual property, or other confidential information. In addition, hardware or software applications the Company develops or procures from third parties may contain design or manufacturing defects that could unexpectedly compromise information security. In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of cyberattacks on companies’ network and information systems, and such attacks have become more sophisticated, targeted and difficult to detect and prevent against. As a result, the risks associated with such an event continue to increase. The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to be subject to, cybersecurity threats and incidents, none of which have been material to the Company to date. Efforts by the Company and its vendors to develop, implement and maintain security measures may not be successful in preventing these events from occurring, particularly given that techniques used to access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently, and any network and information systems-related events could require the Company to expend significant resources to remedy such event. Moreover, the development and maintenance of these measures is costly and requires ongoing monitoring and updating as technologies change and efforts to overcome security measures become more sophisticated. While the Company maintains cyber risk insurance, this insurance may not be sufficient to cover all losses from any future breaches of our system.

A significant failure, compromise, breach or interruption of the Company’s systems, or those of third parties upon which its business relies, could result in a disruption of its operations, customer or advertiser dissatisfaction, damage to its reputation or brands, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, lawsuits, remediation costs, a loss of customers or revenues and other financial losses. If any such failure, interruption or similar event results in the improper disclosure of information maintained in the Company’s information systems and networks or those of its vendors, including financial, personal, credit card, confidential and proprietary information relating to personnel, customers, vendors and the Company’s business, including its intellectual property, the Company could also be subject to liability under relevant contractual obligations and laws and regulations protecting personal data and privacy.

The Company Could Suffer Losses Due to Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges.

As a result of adverse developments in the Company’s industry and challenging economic and market conditions, the Company may recognize impairment charges for write-downs of goodwill, intangible assets, investments and other long-lived assets, as well as restructuring charges relating to the reorganization of its businesses, which negatively impact the Company’s financial results. When the Company acquires a business, it records goodwill in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, as of the acquisition date. The Company’s management must regularly evaluate goodwill and other acquired intangible assets expected to contribute indefinitely to the Company’s cash flows in order to determine whether, based on projected discounted future cash flows, the carrying value for such assets exceeds current fair value and the Company should recognize an impairment. In accordance with GAAP, the Company performs an annual impairment assessment of its recorded goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including distribution networks, newspaper mastheads, imprints and trademarks, during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. The Company also continually evaluates whether current factors or indicators, such as prevailing conditions in the capital markets or the economy generally, require the performance of an interim impairment assessment of those assets, as well as other investments and long-lived assets, or require the Company to engage in any additional business restructurings to address these conditions. Any significant shortfall, now or in the future, in advertising revenue and/or the expected popularity of the programming for which the Company has acquired rights could lead to a downward revision in the fair value of certain reporting units. Any downward revisions in the fair value of a reporting unit, indefinite-lived intangible assets, investments or long-lived assets could result in additional impairments for which non-cash charges would be required. Any such charge could be material to the Company’s reported results of operations. The News and Information Services and Cable Network Programming segments have reporting units with goodwill that is at risk for future impairment. As of June 30, 2016, nearly $1.0 billion of goodwill at these reporting units was at risk for future impairment because the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values by less than 10%. The Company may also incur additional restructuring charges in the future if it is required to further realign its resources in response to significant shortfalls in revenue or other adverse trends.

 

21


Table of Contents

The Company’s Business Could Be Adversely Impacted by Changes in Governmental Policy and Regulation.

Various aspects of the Company’s activities are subject to regulation in numerous jurisdictions around the world, and the introduction of new laws and regulations in countries where the Company’s products and services are produced or distributed (and changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations in those countries) could have a negative impact on its interests.

For example, the Company’s Australian operating businesses may be adversely affected by changes in government policy, regulation or legislation, or the application or enforcement thereof, applying to companies in the Australian media industry or to Australian companies in general. This includes:

 

   

anti-siphoning legislation which currently prevents pay-TV providers such as Foxtel from acquiring rights to televise certain listed events (for example, the Olympic Games and certain Australian Rules football and cricket matches) unless:

 

   

national and commercial television broadcasters have not obtained these rights 12 weeks before the start of the event;

 

   

the rights to televise are also held by commercial television licensees who have rights to televise the event to more than 50% of the Australian population; or

 

   

the rights to televise are also held by one of Australia’s two major government-funded broadcasters; and

 

   

other parts of the Broadcasting Services Act that regulate ownership interests and control of Australian media organizations. Such legislation may have an impact on the Company’s ownership structure and operations and may restrict its ability to take advantage of acquisition or investment opportunities. For example, current media diversity rules would prevent the Company from exercising control of a commercial television broadcasting license, a commercial radio license and a newspaper in the same license area.

The Company’s business activities are also subject to laws and regulations governing the collection, use, sharing, protection and retention of personal data, which continue to evolve and have implications for how such data is managed. These laws and regulations could be costly to comply with, limit or restrict aspects of the Company’s business, including, for example, by restricting the use of personal and profiling data to deliver targeted advertisements, and subject the Company to claims and other remedies. For example, the European Union recently adopted the GDPR, which expands the regulation of personal data processing throughout the European Union and significantly increases penalties for non-compliance. See “Governmental Regulation—Data Privacy and Security” for more information.

In addition, the Company’s newspaper businesses in the U.K. are subject to greater regulation and oversight as a result of the implementation of recommendations of the Leveson inquiry into the U.K. press, which was established by Prime Minister David Cameron in mid-2011. The U.K. Government subsequently published a Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press which established a Recognition Panel responsible for approving and monitoring a new press self-regulatory body. No such regulator has yet been approved by the Recognition Panel, although it is currently considering an application by a newly-formed independent body, IMPRESS. In the meantime, a majority of the U.K. press has established an alternative regulator, the Independent Press Standards Organisation, or IPSO, which began operating in September 2014. IPSO, which has indicated that it does not intend to seek approval by the Recognition Panel, has powers to impose burdens on the print media in the U.K., including the Company’s U.K.-based newspaper businesses. These powers, which include the ability to impose fines of up to £1 million for breaches of IPSO’s Editor’s Code of Practice, may result in competitive disadvantages versus other forms of media and may increase the costs of compliance.

 

22


Table of Contents

Adverse Results from Litigation or Other Proceedings Could Impact the Company’s Business Practices and Operating Results.

From time to time, the Company is party to litigation, as well as to regulatory and other proceedings with governmental authorities and administrative agencies. For example, a competitor of the Company’s NAM business has filed lawsuits against NAM alleging antitrust violations and seeking treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. The outcome of these matters and other litigation and proceedings is subject to significant uncertainty, and it is possible that an adverse resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in reputational harm and/or significant monetary damages, injunctive relief or settlement costs that could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial condition as well as the Company’s ability to conduct its business as it is presently being conducted. For example, in February 2016, as part of a settlement agreement relating to an action brought by customers of the NAM business, the Company agreed, subject to District Court approval, to pay the plaintiffs and their attorneys approximately $250 million and settled related claims for approximately $30 million. In addition, regardless of merit or outcome, such proceedings can have an adverse impact on the Company as a result of legal costs, diversion of management and other personnel, and other factors. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” and Note 15 to the Financial Statements for more information.

Newsprint Prices May Continue to Be Volatile and Difficult to Predict and Control.

Newsprint is one of the largest expenses of the Company’s newspaper publishing units. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company’s average cost per ton of newsprint was approximately 16% lower than its historical average annual cost per ton over the past five fiscal years on a constant currency basis. The price of newsprint has historically been volatile and the consolidation of newsprint mills over the years has reduced the number of suppliers, which has led to increases in newsprint prices. Failure to maintain the Company’s current consumption levels, further supplier consolidation or the inability to maintain the Company’s existing relationships with its newsprint suppliers could adversely impact newsprint prices in the future.

The Company’s International Operations Expose it to Additional Risks that Could Adversely Affect its Business, Operating Results and Financial Condition.

In its fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, approximately 54% of the Company’s revenues were derived outside the U.S., and the Company is focused on expanding the international scope of its operations. There are risks inherent in doing business internationally, including (1) issues related to managing international operations; (2) economic uncertainty and volatility in local markets and political or social instability; (3) potentially adverse changes in tax laws and regulations; (4) complying with international laws and regulations, including foreign ownership restrictions and data privacy requirements; (5) complying with anti-corruption laws and regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act; (6) restrictions on repatriation of funds and foreign currency exchange; and (7) complying with local labor laws and regulations. Events or developments related to these and other risks associated with the Company’s international operations could result in reputational harm and have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. Challenges associated with operating globally may increase as the Company continues to expand into geographic areas that it believes represent the highest growth opportunities.

There Can Be No Assurance That the Company Will Have Access to the Capital Markets on Terms Acceptable to It.

From time to time the Company may need or desire to access the long-term and short-term capital markets to obtain financing. Although the Company believes that the sources of capital currently in place, including the Company’s revolving credit facility, will permit the Company to finance its operations for the foreseeable future on acceptable terms and conditions, the Company’s access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms and conditions in the future will be impacted by many factors, including, but not limited to: (1) the Company’s financial performance, (2) the Company’s credit ratings or absence of a credit rating, (3) the liquidity of the overall capital markets and (4) the state of the economy. There can be no assurance, particularly as a company that currently has no credit rating, that the Company will continue to have access to the capital markets on terms acceptable to it.

 

23


Table of Contents

Technological Developments May Increase the Threat of Content Piracy and Limit the Company’s Ability to Protect Its Intellectual Property Rights.

The Company seeks to limit the threat of content piracy; however, policing unauthorized use of its products and services and related intellectual property is often difficult and the steps taken by the Company may not in every case prevent infringement by unauthorized third parties. Developments in technology increase the threat of content piracy by making it easier to duplicate and widely distribute pirated material. The Company has taken, and will continue to take, a variety of actions to combat piracy, both individually and, in some instances, together with industry associations. However, protection of the Company’s intellectual property rights is dependent on the scope and duration of its rights as defined by applicable laws in the U.S. and abroad and the manner in which those laws are construed. If those laws are drafted or interpreted in ways that limit the extent or duration of the Company’s rights, or if existing laws are changed, the Company’s ability to generate revenue from its intellectual property may decrease, or the cost of obtaining and maintaining rights may increase. There can be no assurance that the Company’s efforts to enforce its rights and protect its products, services and intellectual property will be successful in preventing content piracy.

The Company’s Business Relies on Certain Intellectual Property and Brands.

The Company’s businesses rely on a combination of trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and other proprietary rights, as well as contractual arrangements, including licenses, to establish and protect their intellectual property and brand names. The Company believes its proprietary trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights are important to its continued success and its competitive position. However, the Company cannot ensure that these intellectual property rights will be upheld if challenged or that these rights will protect the Company against infringement claims by third parties. Any failure by the Company to effectively protect its intellectual property or brands could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. In addition, the Company may be contractually required to indemnify other parties against liabilities arising out of any third party infringement claims.

The Company’s Relationship with NAR is an Important Part of its Digital Real Estate Services Business in the U.S. and this Business Could be Harmed if it were to Lose the Benefits of this Relationship.

Move, the Company’s digital real estate services business in the U.S., licenses the realtor.com® trademark and website address, as well as the REALTOR® trademark, from NAR pursuant to a trademark license agreement (the “NAR License”). Move also operates the realtor.com® website under an agreement with NAR that is perpetual in duration. However, NAR may terminate the operating agreement for certain contractually-specified reasons upon expiration of applicable cure periods. If the operating agreement with NAR is terminated, the NAR License would also terminate, and Move would be required to transfer a copy of the software that operates the realtor.com® website to NAR and provide NAR with copies of its agreements with advertisers and data content providers. NAR would then be able to operate a realtor.com® website, either by itself or with another third party.

In addition to the contractual limitations and risks described above, any adverse developments in Move’s business relationship with NAR as a result of existing or new areas of conflict or potential conflict between Move’s interests and NAR’s interests, changes in the real estate industry or other causes could also adversely affect Move’s business, particularly as many of its customers and data providers are members of, have interests that are closely aligned with, or are otherwise influenced by, NAR.

Labor Disputes May Have an Adverse Effect on the Company’s Business.

In a variety of the Company’s businesses, it engages the services of employees who are subject to collective bargaining agreements. If the Company is unable to renew expiring collective bargaining agreements, it is possible that the affected unions could take action in the form of strikes or work stoppages. Such actions, as well as higher costs in connection with these collective bargaining agreements or a significant labor dispute, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business by causing delays in production or by reducing profit margins.

 

24


Table of Contents

Risks Related to the Company’s Separation from 21st Century Fox

If the Separation, Together with Certain Related Transactions, Were Ultimately Determined to be Taxable Transactions for U.S. Federal and/or Other Jurisdictions’ Income Tax Purposes, then the Company, 21st Century Fox and Its Stockholders Could Be Subject to Significant Tax Liability, and the Company may be Required to Indemnify 21st Century Fox for Tax-Related Liabilities Incurred by 21st Century Fox.

In connection with the Separation, 21st Century Fox received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to the effect that, among other things, the distribution of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock qualified as tax-free under Sections 368 and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) except for cash received in lieu of fractional shares. In addition, 21st Century Fox received an opinion from its tax counsel confirming the tax-free status of the Separation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including the satisfaction of the requirements under Sections 368 and 355 of the Code not specifically addressed in the IRS private letter ruling. The opinion of 21st Century Fox’s tax counsel is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and there is no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position.

The private letter ruling and the opinion relied on certain facts and assumptions, and certain representations from the Company and 21st Century Fox regarding the past and future conduct of their respective businesses and other matters. Notwithstanding the receipt of the private letter ruling and the opinion, the IRS and/or other tax authorities could determine on audit that the distribution or the related internal reorganization transactions should be treated as taxable transactions if any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings is not correct or has been violated, or that the distribution or the internal transactions should be taxable for other reasons. If the distribution ultimately is determined to be taxable, the distribution could be treated as a taxable dividend or capital gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and U.S. stockholders and certain non-U.S. stockholders could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities. In addition, if the internal reorganization and/or the distribution is ultimately determined to be taxable, 21st Century Fox and/or the Company would recognize gains on the internal reorganization and 21st Century Fox would recognize gain in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of shares of the Company’s common stock distributed to 21st Century Fox’s stockholders on the Distribution Date over 21st Century Fox’s tax basis in such shares. As described below, the Company may in certain circumstances be required to indemnify 21st Century Fox for liabilities arising out of the foregoing.

Under the terms of the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement that the Company and 21st Century Fox entered into in connection with the Separation, the Company will, in certain circumstances, be responsible for all taxes, including interest and penalties, and tax-related liabilities incurred by 21st Century Fox as a result of actions taken by the Company or any of its subsidiaries after the Separation. Specifically, in the event that the distribution or the internal transactions intended not to be subject to tax were determined to be subject to tax and such determination was the result of certain actions taken, or omitted to be taken, after the Separation by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and such actions (1) were inconsistent with any representation or covenant made in connection with the private letter ruling or opinion of 21st Century Fox’s tax counsel, (2) violated any representation or covenant made in the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, or (3) the Company or any of its subsidiaries knew or reasonably should have expected, after consultation with its advisors, could result in any such determination, the Company will be responsible for any tax-related liabilities incurred by 21st Century Fox as a result of such determination.

The Company Could Be Liable for Income Taxes Owed by 21st Century Fox.

Each member of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group, which, prior to the Separation, included 21st Century Fox, the Company and 21st Century Fox’s other subsidiaries, is jointly and severally liable for the U.S. federal income tax liability of each other member of the consolidated group for periods prior to and including the Separation. Consequently, the Company could be liable in the event any such liability is incurred, and not discharged, by any member of 21st Century Fox’s consolidated group. The Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement requires 21st Century Fox to indemnify the Company for any such liability. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the IRS in amounts that the Company cannot quantify.

 

25


Table of Contents

The Separation and Distribution Agreement May Restrict the Company From Acquiring or Owning Certain Types of Assets in the U.S.

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has promulgated certain rules and regulations that limit the ownership of radio and television broadcast stations, television broadcast networks and newspapers (the “Broadcast Ownership Rules”) and place commercial restrictions on a cable network programmer in which a cable television operator holds an ownership interest (the “Program Access Rules”). Under the FCC’s rules for determining ownership of the media assets described above, the Murdoch Family Trust’s ownership interest in both the Company and 21st Century Fox following the Separation would generally result in each company’s businesses and assets being attributable to the Murdoch Family Trust for purposes of determining compliance with the Broadcast Ownership Rules and the Program Access Rules. Consequently, the Company’s future conduct, including its acquisition of any newspapers in the same local markets in which 21st Century Fox owns or operates television stations or the Company’s acquisition of an ownership interest in a cable operator, may affect 21st Century Fox’s ability to own and operate its television stations or otherwise comply with the Broadcast Ownership Rules, or may subject 21st Century Fox to the Program Access Rules. Therefore, the Company and 21st Century Fox agreed in the Separation and Distribution Agreement that if the Company acquires, after the Distribution Date, newspapers, radio or television broadcast stations or television broadcast networks in the U.S. and such acquisition would impede or be reasonably likely to impede 21st Century Fox’s business, then the Company will be required to take certain actions, including divesting assets, in order to permit 21st Century Fox to hold its media interests and to comply with such rules. In addition, the Company will be prohibited from acquiring an interest in a multichannel video programming distributor, including a cable television operator, if such acquisition would subject 21st Century Fox to the Program Access Rules to which it is not then subject. This agreement effectively limits the activities or strategic business alternatives available to the Company if such activities or strategic business alternatives implicate the Broadcast Ownership Rules or Program Access Rules and would impede or be reasonably likely to impede 21st Century Fox’s business.

The Indemnification Arrangements the Company Entered Into With 21st Century Fox in Connection With the Separation May Require the Company to Divert Cash to Satisfy Indemnification Obligations to 21st Century Fox.

Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and certain other related agreements, 21st Century Fox agreed to indemnify the Company for certain liabilities, and the Company agreed to indemnify 21st Century Fox for certain liabilities. As a result, the Company could be required, under certain circumstances, to indemnify 21st Century Fox and its affiliates against certain liabilities to the extent such liabilities result from an action the Company or its affiliates take or from any breach of the Company or its affiliates’ representations, covenants or obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement or any other agreement the Company entered into in connection with the Separation. The diversion of cash that may occur if the Company is required to indemnify 21st Century Fox under these agreements could limit the Company’s ability to grow its businesses or capitalize on acquisition opportunities.

Certain of the Company’s Directors and Officers May Have Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest Because of Their Equity Ownership in 21st Century Fox, and Certain of the Company’s Officers and Directors May Have Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest Because They Also Serve as Officers and/or on the Board of Directors of 21st Century Fox, Which May Result in the Diversion of Corporate Opportunities to 21st Century Fox.

Certain of the Company’s directors and executive officers own shares of 21st Century Fox’s common stock, and the individual holdings may be significant for some of these individuals compared to their total assets. In addition, certain of the Company’s officers and directors also serve as officers and/or as directors of 21st Century Fox, including K. Rupert Murdoch, who serves as the Company’s Executive Chairman and Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox, and Lachlan K. Murdoch, who serves as the Company’s Co-Chairman and Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox. This ownership or service to both companies may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for the Company and 21st Century Fox. For example, potential conflicts of interest could

 

26


Table of Contents

arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between the Company and 21st Century Fox regarding the terms of the agreements governing the internal reorganization, the Separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies, including with respect to the indemnification of certain matters. In addition to any other arrangements that the Company and 21st Century Fox may agree to implement, the Company and 21st Century Fox have agreed that officers and directors who serve at both companies will recuse themselves from decisions where conflicts arise due to their positions at both companies.

The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation acknowledges that the Company’s directors and officers, as well as certain of its stockholders, including K. Rupert Murdoch, certain members of his family and certain family trusts (so long as such persons continue to own, in the aggregate, 10% or more of the voting stock of each of the Company and 21st Century Fox), each of which is referred to as a covered stockholder, are or may become stockholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of 21st Century Fox and certain of its affiliates. The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that any such overlapping person will not be liable to the Company, or to any of its stockholders, for breach of any fiduciary duty that would otherwise exist because such individual directs a corporate opportunity (other than certain limited types of restricted business opportunities set forth in the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation) to 21st Century Fox instead of the Company. As 21st Century Fox does not have a similar provision regarding corporate opportunities in its certificate of incorporation, the provisions in the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation could result in an overlapping person submitting any corporate opportunities other than restricted business opportunities to 21st Century Fox instead of the Company.

Risks Related to the Company’s Common Stock

The Market Price of the Company’s Stock May Fluctuate Significantly.

The Company cannot predict the prices at which its common stock may trade. The market price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond its control, including: (1) the Company’s quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in its industry; (2) actual or anticipated fluctuations in the Company’s operating results; (3) success or failure of the Company’s business strategy; (4) the Company’s ability to obtain financing as needed; (5) changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; (6) changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company’s business; (7) announcements by the Company or its competitors of significant new business developments or customers; (8) announcements by the Company or its competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions; (9) changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or the Company’s ability to meet its earnings guidance, if any; (10) the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies; (11) results from material litigation or governmental investigations; (12) changes in capital gains taxes and taxes on dividends affecting stockholders; and (13) overall market fluctuations and general economic conditions.

Certain Provisions of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated By-laws, Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, Separation and Distribution Agreement and Delaware Law, the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement and the Ownership of the Company’s Common Stock by the Murdoch Family Trust May Discourage Takeovers and the Concentration of Ownership Will Affect the Voting Results of Matters Submitted for Stockholder Approval.

The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws contain certain anti-takeover provisions that may make more difficult or expensive a tender offer, change in control, or takeover attempt that is opposed by the Company’s Board of Directors or certain stockholders holding a significant percentage of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock. In particular, the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws provide for, among other things:

 

   

a dual class common equity capital structure;

 

   

a prohibition on stockholders taking any action by written consent without a meeting;

 

27


Table of Contents
   

special stockholders’ meeting to be called only by the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, or the holders of not less than 20% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock;

 

   

the requirement that stockholders give the Company advance notice to nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors or to make stockholder proposals at a stockholders’ meeting;

 

   

the requirement of an affirmative vote of at least 65% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock to amend or repeal its by-laws;

 

   

certain restrictions on the transfer of the Company’s shares; and

 

   

the Board of Directors to issue, without stockholder approval, Preferred Stock and Series Common Stock with such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.

These provisions could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company, even in the case where a majority of the stockholders may consider such proposals, if effective, desirable.

In addition, in connection with the Separation, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights agreement, which it extended in June 2014 and again in June 2015. Pursuant to the second amended and restated stockholder rights agreement, each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock has attached to it a right entitling its holder to purchase from the Company additional shares of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in the event that a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then-outstanding Class B Common Stock without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, subject to exceptions for persons beneficially owning 15% or more of the Company’s Class B Common Stock immediately following the Separation. The stockholder rights agreement could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire the Company’s voting common stock without the approval of its Board of Directors. The rights expire on June 18, 2018, except as otherwise provided in the rights agreement. Further, as a result of his ability to appoint certain members of the board of directors of the corporate trustee of the Murdoch Family Trust, which beneficially owns less than one percent of the Company’s outstanding Class A Common Stock and approximately 38.4% of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of August 5, 2016, K. Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the shares beneficially owned by the Murdoch Family Trust. K. Rupert Murdoch, however, disclaims any beneficial ownership of these shares. Also, K. Rupert Murdoch beneficially owns or may be deemed to beneficially own an additional one percent of the Company’s Class B Common Stock and less than one percent of the Company’s Class A Common Stock as of August 5, 2016. Thus, K. Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to beneficially own in the aggregate less than one percent of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and approximately 39.4% of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of August 5, 2016. This concentration of voting power could discourage third parties from making proposals involving an acquisition of the Company. Additionally, the ownership concentration of Class B Common Stock by the Murdoch Family Trust increases the likelihood that proposals submitted for stockholder approval that are supported by the Murdoch Family Trust will be adopted and proposals that the Murdoch Family Trust does not support will not be adopted, whether or not such proposals to stockholders are also supported by the other holders of Class B Common Stock. Furthermore, the adoption of the second amended and restated stockholder rights agreement will prevent, unless the Company’s Board of Directors otherwise determines at the time, other potential stockholders from acquiring a similar ownership position in the Company’s Class B Common Stock and, accordingly, could prevent a meaningful challenge to the Murdoch Family Trust’s influence over matters submitted for stockholder approval.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns and leases various real properties in the U.S., Europe, Australia and Asia that are utilized in the conduct of its businesses. Each of these properties is considered to be in good condition, adequate

 

28


Table of Contents

for its purpose and suitably utilized according to the individual nature and requirements of the relevant operations. The Company’s policy is to improve and replace property as considered appropriate to meet the needs of the individual operation.

United States

The Company’s principal real properties in the U.S. are the following:

 

  (a) The U.S. headquarters of the Company, located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York and the offices of the Company located at 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, each of which are subleased from 21st Century Fox. These spaces include the executive and corporate offices of the Company, the executive and editorial offices of Dow Jones, the editorial offices of the Post and the executive offices of NAM;

 

  (b) The leased offices of HarperCollins U.S. in New York, New York;

 

  (c) The leased offices of HarperCollins U.S. in Scranton, Pennsylvania;

 

  (d) The leased printing plant of the Post located in Bronx, New York;

 

  (e) The leased offices of Move in Santa Clara, California;

 

  (f) The leased offices of NAM in Wilton, Connecticut; and

 

  (g) The office space campus owned by the Company in South Brunswick, New Jersey.

Europe

The Company’s principal real properties in Europe are the following:

 

  (a) The leased headquarters and editorial offices of the London operations of News UK, Dow Jones and HarperCollins at The News Building, 1 London Bridge Street, London, England;

 

  (b) The newspaper production and printing facilities for its U.K. newspapers, which consist of:

 

  1. The leased office space at each of Fleet House, Peterborough, England; Dublin, Ireland; and Glasgow City Centre, Scotland; and

 

  2. The freehold interests in each of a publishing and printing facility in Broxbourne, England and printing facilities in Knowsley, England and North Lanarkshire, Scotland; and

 

  (c) The leased warehouse and office facilities of HarperCollins Publishers Limited in Glasgow, Scotland.

Australia and Asia

The Company’s principal real properties in Australia and Asia are the following:

 

  (a) The Australian newspaper production and printing facilities which consist of:

 

  1. The Company-owned print center and office building in Sydney, Australia at which The Australian, the Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph are printed and published;

 

  2. The Company-owned print center and the leased office facility in Melbourne, Australia at which Herald Sun and the Sunday Herald Sun are printed and published;

 

  3. The Company-owned print center and office building in Adelaide, Australia utilized in the printing and publishing of The Advertiser and The Sunday Mail;

 

  4. The Company-owned print center and office building in Brisbane, Australia at which The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail are printed and published; and

 

  5. The two Company-owned buildings in Perth, Australia used to print and publish The Sunday Times;

 

29


Table of Contents
  (b) The leased offices and studios of FOX SPORTS Australia in Sydney, Australia;

 

  (c) The leased offices and studios of FOX SPORTS Australia in Melbourne, Australia;

 

  (d) The leased corporate offices of REA Group in Melbourne, Australia; and

 

  (e) The leased office space of Dow Jones in Hong Kong.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company routinely is involved in various legal proceedings, claims and governmental inspections or investigations, including those discussed below.

U.K. Newspaper Matters and Related Investigations and Litigation

On July 19, 2011, a purported class action lawsuit captioned Wilder v. News Corp., et al. was filed on behalf of all purchasers of 21st Century Fox’s common stock between March 3, 2011 and July 11, 2011, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Wilder Litigation”). The plaintiff brought claims under Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, alleging that false and misleading statements were issued regarding alleged acts of voicemail interception at The News of the World. The suit named as defendants 21st Century Fox, Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks, and sought compensatory damages, rescission for damages sustained and costs.

On June 5, 2012, the District Court issued an order appointing the Avon Pension Fund (“Avon”) as lead plaintiff and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd as lead counsel. Avon filed an amended consolidated complaint on July 31, 2012, which among other things, added as defendants the Company’s subsidiary, NI Group Limited (now known as News Corp UK & Ireland Limited), and Les Hinton, and expanded the class period to comprise February 15, 2011 to July 18, 2011. Defendants filed motions to dismiss the litigation, which were granted by the District Court on March 31, 2014. Plaintiffs were allowed to amend their complaint, and on April 30, 2014, plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint, which generally repeated the allegations of the amended consolidated complaint and also expanded the class period to comprise July 8, 2009 to July 18, 2011. Defendants moved to dismiss the second amended consolidated complaint, and on September 30, 2015, the District Court granted defendants’ motions in their entirety and dismissed all of plaintiffs’ claims. In its memorandum, opinion and order relating to the dismissal, the District Court gave plaintiffs until November 6, 2015 to file a motion for leave to amend their complaint. On October 21, 2015, plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration of the District Court’s memorandum, opinion and order, which defendants have opposed. The Company’s management believes these claims are entirely without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action. As described below, the Company will be indemnified by 21st Century Fox for certain payments made by the Company that relate to, or arise from, the U.K. Newspaper Matters (as defined below), including all payments in connection with the Wilder Litigation.

In addition, civil claims have been brought against the Company with respect to, among other things, voicemail interception and inappropriate payments to public officials at the Company’s former publication, The News of the World, and at The Sun, and related matters (the “U.K. Newspaper Matters”). The Company has admitted liability in many civil cases and has settled a number of cases. The Company also settled a number of claims through a private compensation scheme which was closed to new claims after April 8, 2013.

In connection with the Separation, the Company and 21st Century Fox agreed in the Separation and Distribution Agreement that 21st Century Fox would indemnify the Company for payments made after the Distribution Date arising out of civil claims and investigations relating to the U.K. Newspaper Matters as well as legal and professional fees and expenses paid in connection with the previously concluded criminal matters, other than fees, expenses and costs relating to employees (i) who are not directors, officers or certain designated employees or (ii) with respect to civil matters, who are not co-defendants with the Company or 21st Century Fox. 21st Century Fox’s indemnification obligations with respect to these matters will be settled on an after-tax basis.

 

30


Table of Contents

The Company incurred gross legal and professional fees related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters and costs for civil settlements totaling approximately $42 million, $101 million and $169 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. With respect to the fees and costs incurred during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company has been or will be indemnified by 21st Century Fox for $23 million, net of tax, $51 million, net of tax, and $97 million, net of tax, respectively, pursuant to the indemnification arrangements described above.

As of June 30, 2016, the Company has provided for its best estimate of the liability for the claims that have been filed and costs incurred, including liabilities associated with employment taxes, and has accrued approximately $99 million, of which approximately $55 million will be indemnified by 21st Century Fox, and a corresponding receivable was recorded in Other current assets on the Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2016. It is not possible to estimate the liability or corresponding receivable for any additional claims that may be filed given the information that is currently available to the Company. If more claims are filed and additional information becomes available, the Company will update the liability provision and corresponding receivable for such matters. The Company is not able to predict the ultimate outcome or cost of the civil claims. It is possible that these proceedings and any adverse resolution thereof could damage its reputation, impair its ability to conduct its business and adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

News America Marketing

In-Store Marketing and FSI Purchasers

On April 8, 2014, in connection with a pending action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in which The Dial Corporation, Henkel Consumer Goods, Inc., H.J. Heinz Company, H.J. Heinz Company, L.P., Foster Poultry Farms, Smithfield Foods, Inc., HP Hood LLC and BEF Foods, Inc. (collectively, the “Named Plaintiffs”) alleged various claims under federal and state antitrust law against News Corporation, News America Incorporated (“NAI”), News America Marketing FSI L.L.C. (“NAM FSI”), and News America Marketing In-Store Services L.L.C. (“NAM In-Store Services” and, together with News Corporation, NAI and NAM FSI, the “NAM Group”), the Named Plaintiffs filed a fourth amended complaint on consent of the parties. The fourth amended complaint asserted federal and state antitrust claims both individually and on behalf of two putative classes in connection with the purchase of in-store marketing services and free-standing insert coupons. The complaint sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees.

On August 11, 2014, the Named Plaintiffs filed a motion seeking certification of a class of all persons residing in the United States who purchased in-store marketing services on or after April 5, 2008 and did not purchase those services pursuant to contracts with mandatory arbitration clauses. On June 18, 2015, the District Court granted the Named Plaintiffs’ motion, although it subsequently amended the start date of the claim period to April 26, 2009.

On September 10, 2015, the District Court granted a stipulation dismissing with prejudice the Named Plaintiffs’ claims relating to free-standing insert coupons. Trial began on February 29, 2016, and on such date, the parties agreed to settle the litigation. Under the terms of the settlement, which remains subject to District Court approval, the NAM Group agreed, among other things, to pay the plaintiffs and their attorneys approximately $250 million, and the parties agreed to dismiss the litigation with prejudice. The District Court has scheduled a final settlement approval hearing for September 21, 2016. The NAM Group also settled related claims for approximately $30 million. As a result, the Company recorded one-time costs of approximately $280 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 in NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net in the Company’s Statement of Operations.

 

31


Table of Contents

Valassis Communications, Inc.

On November 8, 2013, Valassis Communications, Inc. (“Valassis”) initiated legal proceedings against certain of the Company’s subsidiaries alleging violations of various antitrust laws. These proceedings are described in further detail below.

 

   

Valassis previously initiated an action against NAI, NAM FSI and NAM In-Store Services (collectively, the “NAM Parties”), captioned Valassis Communications, Inc. v. News America Incorporated, et al., No. 2:06-cv-10240 (E.D. Mich.) (“Valassis I”), alleging violations of federal antitrust laws, which was settled in February 2010. On November 8, 2013, Valassis filed a motion for expedited discovery in the previously settled case based on its belief that defendants had engaged in activities prohibited under an order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in connection with the parties’ settlement, which motion was granted by the magistrate judge.

Valassis subsequently filed a Notice of Violation of an order issued by the District Court in Valassis I. The Notice contained allegations that were substantially similar to the allegations Valassis made in Valassis II, described below, and sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. The Notice also re-asserted claims of unlawful bundling and tying which the magistrate judge had previously recommended be dismissed from Valassis II on the grounds that such claims could only be brought before a panel of antitrust experts previously appointed in Valassis I (the “Antitrust Expert Panel”). On March 2, 2015, the NAM Parties filed a motion to refer the Notice to the Antitrust Expert Panel or, in the alternative, strike the Notice. The District Court granted the NAM Parties’ motion in part on March 30, 2016 and ordered that the Notice be referred to the Antitrust Expert Panel. The District Court further ordered that the case be administratively closed and that it may be re-opened following proceedings before the Antitrust Expert Panel.

 

   

On November 8, 2013, Valassis also filed a new complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against the NAM Group alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws and common law business torts (“Valassis II”). The complaint sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees and costs. On December 19, 2013, the NAM Group filed a motion to dismiss the newly filed complaint.

The District Court referred the NAM Group’s motion to dismiss to the magistrate judge for determination, and on July 16, 2014, the magistrate judge recommended that the District Court grant the NAM Group’s motion in part with respect to certain claims regarding alleged bundling and tying conduct and stay the remainder of the action. On March 30, 2016, the District Court adopted in part the magistrate judge’s recommendation. The District Court ordered that Valassis’s bundling and tying claims be dismissed without prejudice to Valassis’s rights to pursue relief for those claims in Valassis I. The District Court sustained Valassis’s objection to the stay of Valassis II, but further ordered that all remaining claims in the NAM Group’s motion to dismiss be referred to the Antitrust Expert Panel. The District Court further ordered that the case be administratively closed and that it may be re-opened following proceedings before the Antitrust Expert Panel.

On May 17, 2016, the District Court held a status conference to discuss the referral to the Antitrust Expert Panel in both Valassis I and Valassis II. While it is not possible at this time to predict with any degree of certainty the ultimate outcome of these actions, the NAM Group believes it has been compliant with applicable laws and intends to defend itself vigorously in both actions.

Other

In addition, the Company’s operations are subject to tax in various domestic and international jurisdictions and as a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by federal, state and foreign 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.

 

32


Table of Contents
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

33


Table of Contents

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

News Corporation’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are listed and traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”), its principal market, under the symbols “NWSA” and “NWS,” respectively. CHESS Depositary Interests (“CDIs”) representing the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are listed and traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) under the symbols “NWSLV” and “NWS,” respectively. As of June 30, 2016, there were approximately 25,000 holders of record of shares of Class A Common Stock and 760 holders of record of shares of Class B Common Stock.

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as reported on NASDAQ.

 

     Class B Common Stock      Class A Common Stock  
         High              Low              High              Low      

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2015:

           

First Quarter

   $ 17.82         16.01         18.41         16.33   

Second Quarter

     16.61         14.09         16.96         14.28   

Third Quarter

     17.11         14.25         17.55         14.68   

Fourth Quarter

     16.24         13.88         16.45         14.17   

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2016:

           

First Quarter

     15.62         12.62         15.92         12.63   

Second Quarter

     15.74         12.24         15.68         12.16   

Third Quarter

     14.45         10.74         13.81         10.21   

Fourth Quarter

     13.55         10.90         13.06         10.54   

Dividends

In February 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.10 per share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. This dividend was paid on April 13, 2016 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2016. In August 2015, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.10 per share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. This dividend was paid on October 21, 2015 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 16, 2015. No dividends were declared or paid in fiscal 2015. The timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to stockholders, if any, is within the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors’ decisions regarding the payment of future dividends will depend on many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500 million of its Class A Common Stock. On May 10, 2015, the Company announced it had begun repurchasing shares of Class A Common Stock under the stock repurchase program. Through August 5, 2016 the Company repurchased approximately 5.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $71 million. The remaining authorized amount under the stock repurchase program as of August 5, 2016 was approximately $429 million. All decisions regarding any future stock repurchases are at the sole discretion of a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors and management. The committee’s decisions regarding future stock repurchases will be evaluated from time to time in light of many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual

 

34


Table of Contents

restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the committee may deem relevant. The stock repurchase authorization may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors cannot provide any assurances that any additional shares will be repurchased.

The following table is a summary of the Company’s purchases of its Class A Common Stock during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

 

     Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased
     Average Price
per Share
     Total Cost of
Purchase
 
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Total first quarter fiscal 2016

     891       $ 14.44       $ 12,864   

Total second quarter fiscal 2016

     281         12.35         3,470   

Total third quarter fiscal 2016

     1,922         11.86         22,795   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fiscal 2016

     3,094       $ 12.65       $ 39,129   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company did not purchase any of its Class B Common Stock during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

 

35


Table of Contents
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated and combined financial data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and the other financial information included elsewhere herein.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016(b)      2015(b)     2014(b)      2013(c)      2012(c)(d)  
     (in millions except per share information)  

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:

             

Revenues

   $ 8,292       $ 8,524      $ 8,486       $ 8,789       $ 8,570   

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to News Corporation stockholders(a)

     164         298        381         612         (2,032

Net income (loss) attributable to News Corporation stockholders

     179         (147     239         506         (2,075

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to News Corporation stockholders —basic and diluted

     0.28         0.51        0.65         1.06         (3.51

Net income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

     0.30         (0.26     0.41         0.87         (3.58

Cash dividends per share of Class A and Class B Common Stock

     0.20         —          —           —           —     

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015      2014      2013(e)      2012  
     (in millions)  

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,832       $ 1,951       $ 3,145       $ 2,381       $ 1,133   

Total assets

     15,483         15,035         16,351         15,523         12,991   

Total borrowings

     372         —           —           —           —     

Redeemable preferred stock

     20         20         20         20         —     

 

(a)

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized $158 million ($98 million, net of tax) in net settlement costs associated with the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements. The Company recognized one-time costs of approximately $280 million in connection with the settlement of certain litigation and related claims at News America Marketing during the three months ended March 31, 2016. In addition, the Company recognized a gain of $122 million in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow, Inc., which reflects settlement proceeds received from Zillow of $130 million, less $8 million paid to the National Association of Realtors® during the three months ended June 30, 2016.

(b)

See Notes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation for information with respect to significant acquisitions, disposals, discontinued operations, impairment charges, restructuring charges, contingencies and legal settlements and other transactions during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014.

(c)

On June 28, 2013 (the “Distribution Date”), the Company completed the separation of its businesses (the “Separation”) from Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (“21st Century Fox”). As of the effective time of the Separation, all of the outstanding shares of the Company were distributed to 21st Century Fox stockholders based on a distribution ratio of one share of Company Class A or Class B Common Stock for every four shares of 21st Century Fox Class A or Class B Common Stock, respectively, held of record as of June 21, 2013 (the “Record Date”). Prior to the Separation, the Company’s combined financial statements were prepared on a stand-alone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of 21st Century Fox. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 included allocations of general corporate expenses for certain support functions that were provided on a centralized basis by 21st Century Fox and not recorded at the business unit level, such as expenses related to finance, human resources, information technology, facilities and legal, among others.

 

36


Table of Contents
 

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 consolidated revenues, operating income, headcount or other measures of the Company. Management believes the assumptions underlying these consolidated financial statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses from 21st Century Fox, were reasonable.

(d)

During fiscal 2012, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of approximately $2.6 billion ($2.2 billion, net of tax) related to the News and Information Services segment.

(e)

In accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Company’s target aggregate cash and cash equivalents balance at the Distribution Date was approximately $2.6 billion. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $2.4 billion. The remaining $0.2 billion was received from 21st Century Fox during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and was recorded in Amounts due from 21st Century Fox on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2013.

 

37


Table of Contents
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion and analysis contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “believe” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this discussion and analysis and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things, trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and the outcome of contingencies such as litigation and investigations. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. More information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”). The Company does not ordinarily make projections of its future operating results and undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review this document and the other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This section should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation and related notes set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report.

INTRODUCTION

News Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “News Corporation,” “News Corp,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) is a global diversified media and information services company comprised of businesses across a range of media, including: news and information services, book publishing, digital real estate services, cable network programming in Australia and pay-TV distribution in Australia.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, management approved a plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business. As a result of the plan and the discontinuation of further significant business activities in the Digital Education segment, the assets and liabilities of this segment were classified as held for sale and the results of operations have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements relates to the Company’s continuing operations. (See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

The consolidated financial statements are referred to herein as the “Consolidated Financial Statements.” The consolidated statements of operations are referred to herein as the “Statements of Operations.” The consolidated balance sheets are referred to herein as the “Balance Sheets.” The consolidated statements of cash flows are referred to herein as the “Statements of Cash Flows.” The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to help provide an understanding of the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. This discussion is organized as follows:

 

   

Overview of the Company’s Business—This section provides a general description of the Company’s businesses, as well as developments that occurred during fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 that the Company believes are important in understanding its results of operations and financial condition or to disclose known trends.

 

   

Results of Operations—This section provides an analysis of the Company’s results of operations for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, respectively. This analysis is presented on a consolidated basis

 

38


Table of Contents
 

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. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to June 30. Fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 include 53, 52 and 52 weeks, respectively. As a result, the Company has referenced the impact of the 53rd week, where applicable, when providing analysis of the results of operations.

 

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources—This section provides an analysis of the Company’s cash flows for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, respectively, as well as a discussion of the Company’s financial arrangements and outstanding commitments, both firm and contingent, that existed as of June 30, 2016.

 

   

Critical Accounting Policies—This section discusses accounting policies considered important to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in application. In addition, Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements summarizes the Company’s significant accounting policies, including the critical accounting policy discussion found in this section.

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESSES

The Company manages and reports its businesses in the following five segments:

 

   

News and Information Services—The News and Information Services segment includes the global print and digital product offerings of The Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones Media Group, which includes Barron’s and MarketWatch, as well as the Company’s suite of professional information products, including Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Jones PEVC and DJX. The Company also owns, among other publications, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun and The Courier-Mail in Australia, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Sun on Sunday in the U.K. and the New York Post in the U.S. This segment also includes both News America Marketing, a leading provider of home-delivered shopper media, in-store marketing products and services and digital marketing solutions, including Checkout 51’s mobile application, as well as Unruly, a leading global video advertising distribution platform.

 

   

Book Publishing—The Book Publishing segment consists of HarperCollins, the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 18 countries and particular strengths in general fiction, nonfiction, children’s and religious publishing. HarperCollins owns more than 120 branded publishing imprints, including Avon, Harper, HarperCollins Children’s Books, William Morrow, Harlequin and Christian publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, and publishes works by well-known authors such as Harper Lee, Mitch Albom, Veronica Roth, Rick Warren, Sarah Young and Agatha Christie and popular titles such as The Hobbit, Goodnight Moon, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jesus Calling and the Divergent series.

 

   

Digital Real Estate Services—The Digital Real Estate Services segment consists primarily of the Company’s interests in REA Group Limited (“REA Group”) and Move, Inc. (“Move”). REA Group is a publicly traded company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) (ASX: REA) that advertises property and property-related services on websites and mobile applications across Australia, Europe and Asia. REA Group operates Australia’s leading residential and commercial property websites, realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au. The Company holds a 61.6% interest in REA Group.

Move, acquired in November 2014, is a leading provider of online real estate services in the U.S. and primarily operates realtor.com®, a premier real estate information and services marketplace. Move also offers a number of professional software and services products, including Top Producer®, TigerLead® and ListHubTM. The Company owns an 80% interest in Move, with the remaining 20% being held by REA Group.

 

   

Cable Network Programming—The Cable Network Programming segment consists of FOX SPORTS Australia, the leading sports programming provider in Australia, with seven high definition television

 

39


Table of Contents
 

channels distributed via cable, satellite and IP, several interactive viewing applications and broadcast rights to live sporting events in Australia including: National Rugby League, the domestic football league, international cricket and Australian Rugby Union.

 

   

Other—The Other segment consists primarily of general corporate overhead expenses, the corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters (as defined in “Item 1A. Risk Factors”). The Company’s corporate Strategy and Creative Group was formed to identify new products and services across its businesses to increase revenues and profitability and to target and assess potential acquisitions and investments.

News and Information Services

Revenue at the News and Information Services segment is derived from the sale of advertising, circulation and subscriptions, as well as licensing. Adverse changes in general market conditions for advertising continue to affect revenues. Advertising revenues at the News and Information Services segment are also subject to seasonality, with revenues typically being highest in the Company’s second fiscal quarter due to the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies. Circulation and subscription revenues can be greatly affected by changes in the prices of the Company’s and/or competitors’ products, as well as by promotional activities.

Operating expenses include costs related to paper, production, distribution, third party printing, editorial and commissions. Selling, general and administrative expenses include promotional expenses, salaries, employee benefits, rent and other routine overhead.

The News and Information Services segment’s advertising volume, circulation and the price of paper are the key variables whose fluctuations can have a material effect on the Company’s operating results and cash flow. The Company has to anticipate the level of advertising volume, circulation and paper prices in managing its businesses to maximize operating profit during expanding and contracting economic cycles. The Company continues to be exposed to risks associated with paper used for printing. Paper is a basic commodity and its price is sensitive to the balance of supply and demand. The Company’s expenses are affected by the cyclical increases and decreases in the price of paper. The News and Information Services segment’s products compete for readership and advertising with local and national competitors and also compete with other media alternatives in their respective markets. Competition for circulation and subscriptions is based on the content of the products provided, pricing and, from time to time, various promotions. The success of these products also depends upon advertisers’ judgments as to the most effective use of their advertising budgets. Competition for advertising is based upon the reach of the products, advertising rates and advertiser results. Such judgments are based on factors such as cost, availability of alternative media, distribution and quality of readership demographics.

The Company’s traditional print business faces challenges from alternative media formats and shifting consumer preferences. The Company is also exposed to the impact of long-term structural movements in advertising spending, in particular, the move in advertising from print to digital. These alternative media formats could impact the Company’s overall performance, positively or negatively. In addition, technologies have been and will continue to be developed that allow users to block advertising on websites and mobile devices, which may impact advertising rates or revenues.

As a multi-platform news provider, the Company recognizes the importance of maximizing revenues from a variety of media formats and platforms, both in terms of paid-for content and in new advertising models, and continues to invest in its digital products. Technologies such as smartphones, tablets and similar devices and their related applications provide continued opportunities for the Company to make its journalism available to a new audience of readers, introduce new or different pricing schemes, and develop its products to continue to attract advertisers and/or affect the relationship between publisher and consumer. The Company continues to develop and implement strategies to exploit its content across a variety of media channels and platforms.

 

40


Table of Contents

Book Publishing

The Book Publishing segment derives revenues from the sale of general fiction, nonfiction, children’s and religious books in the U.S. and internationally. The revenues and operating results of the Book Publishing segment are significantly affected by the timing of releases and the number of its books in the marketplace. The book publishing marketplace is subject to increased periods of demand during the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies. This marketplace is highly competitive and continues to change due to technological developments and other factors. Each book is a separate and distinct product, and its financial success depends upon many factors, including public acceptance.

Major new title releases represent a significant portion of the Book Publishing segment’s sales throughout the fiscal year. Print-based consumer books are generally sold on a fully returnable basis, resulting in the return of unsold books. In the domestic and international markets, the Book Publishing segment is subject to global trends and local economic conditions. Operating expenses for the Book Publishing segment include costs related to paper, printing, authors’ royalties, editorial, promotional, art and design expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, employee benefits, rent and other routine overhead.

Digital Real Estate Services

The Digital Real Estate Services segment sells online advertising services on its residential real estate and commercial property sites and also licenses certain professional software products on a subscription basis. Significant expenses associated with these sites and software solutions include development costs, advertising and promotional expenses, hosting and support services, salaries, employee benefits and other routine overhead expenses.

Consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet and mobile devices for real estate information. The Digital Real Estate Services segment’s success depends on its continued innovation to provide products and services that make its websites and mobile applications useful for consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals and attractive to its advertisers.

Cable Network Programming

The Cable Network Programming segment consists of FOX SPORTS Australia, which offers the following seven channels in high definition: FOX SPORTS 1, FOX SPORTS 2, FOX SPORTS 3, FOX SPORTS 4, FOX SPORTS 5, FOX FOOTY and FOX SPORTS NEWS. Revenue is primarily derived from monthly affiliate fees received from pay-tv providers (mainly Foxtel) based on the number of subscribers.

FOX SPORTS Australia competes primarily with ESPN, beIN SPORTS, the Free-To-Air (“FTA”) channels and certain telecommunications companies in Australia.

The most significant operating expenses of the Cable Network Programming segment are the acquisition and production expenses related to programming and the expenses related to operating the technical facilities of the broadcast operations. The expenses associated with licensing programming rights are recognized during the applicable season or event, which can cause results at the Cable Network Programming segment to fluctuate based on the timing and mix of the Company’s local and international sports programming. Other expenses include marketing and promotional expenses related to improving the market visibility and awareness of the channels and their programming. Additional expenses include salaries, employee benefits, rent and other routine overhead expenses.

Other

The Other segment primarily consists of general corporate overhead expenses, the corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The Company’s corporate Strategy and Creative Group was formed to identify new products and services across the Company’s businesses to increase revenues and profitability and to target and assess potential acquisitions and investments.

 

41


Table of Contents

Other Business Developments

On June 30, 2016, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer (the “Offer”) to acquire Wireless Group plc (“Wireless Group”) for a purchase price of 315 pence per share in cash, or approximately £220 million (approximately $300 million) in the aggregate, plus any assumed debt at closing. Wireless Group, a publicly-traded company listed on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges, operates TalkSPORT, the leading sports radio network in the U.K., and a portfolio of radio stations in the U.K. and Ireland. The proposed acquisition is expected to broaden the Company’s range of services in the U.K., Ireland and internationally. The Offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder acceptances and regulatory approval, as well as the other terms set forth in the Company’s Offer Document. As a result of U.K. takeover regulations requiring the Company to demonstrate that necessary financial resources are available to enable full satisfaction of the consideration payable in the Offer, the Company has specifically set aside $315 million of cash for the Offer and has classified it as restricted cash in the Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2016.

In June 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase Australian Regional Media (“ARM”) from APN News and Media Limited (“APN”) for approximately $30 million. ARM operates a portfolio of regional print assets and websites and extends the reach of the Australian newspaper business to new customers in new geographic regions. The acquisition is subject to regulatory and APN shareholder approval.

In May 2016, REA Group acquired Flatmates.com.au Pty Ltd (“Flatmates”) for $19 million in cash at closing and up to $15 million in future cash consideration related to payments contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. Flatmates operates the Flatmates.com.au website, which is a market leading share accommodation site in Australia. The acquisition enhances REA Group’s Australian product offering by extending its reach into the quickly growing share accommodation business. Flatmates is a subsidiary of REA Group, and its results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment.

In February 2016, the Company acquired a 92% interest in DIAKRIT International Limited (“DIAKRIT”) for approximately $40 million in cash. The Company has the option to purchase, and the minority shareholders also have the option to sell to the Company, the remaining 8% in two tranches over the next six years at fair value. DIAKRIT is a digital visualization solutions company that helps homeowners see the potential in their future living environment with digital visualization solutions that enable them to plan, furnish and decorate their dream home, while also helping agents and developers generate more buyer inquiries and accelerate their property sale processes. DIAKRIT’s results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

In February 2016, REA Group increased its investment in iProperty Group Limited (“iProperty”) from 22.7% to approximately 86.9% for A$482 million in cash (approximately $340 million). The remaining 13.1% not currently owned will become mandatorily redeemable during fiscal 2018, and as a result, the Company recognized a liability of approximately $76 million. The acquisition was funded primarily with the proceeds from borrowings under an unsecured syndicated revolving loan facility (the “REA Facility”). (See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The acquisition of iProperty extends REA Group’s market leading business in Australia to attractive markets throughout Southeast Asia. iProperty is a subsidiary of REA Group, and its results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, REA Group recognized a gain of $29 million related to the revaluation of its previously held equity interest in iProperty in Other, net in the Statements of Operations.

 

42


Table of Contents

The total fair value of iProperty at the acquisition date is set forth below (in millions):

 

Cash paid for iProperty equity

   $ 340   

Deferred consideration

     76   
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

     416   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of previously held iProperty investment

     120   
  

 

 

 

Total fair value

   $ 536   
  

 

 

 

On September 30, 2015, the Company acquired Unruly Holdings Limited (“Unruly”) for approximately £60 million (approximately $90 million) in cash and up to £56 million (approximately $86 million) in future cash consideration related to payments primarily contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. Unruly is a leading global video distribution platform that is focused on delivering branded video advertising across websites and mobile devices. Unruly’s results of operations are included within the News and Information Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review

In July 2015, the Company acquired Checkout 51 Mobile Apps ULC (“Checkout 51”) for approximately $13 million in cash at closing and approximately $10 million in deferred cash consideration which was paid during fiscal 2016. Checkout 51 is a data-driven digital coupon company that provides News America Marketing with a leading receipt recognition mobile app which enables packaged goods companies and brands to reach consumers with highly personalized marketing campaigns. Checkout 51’s results are included within the News and Information Services segment.

During fiscal 2015, the Company purchased a 14.99% interest in APN for approximately $112 million. During fiscal 2016, the Company participated in an entitlement offer to maintain its 14.99% interest for $20 million. APN operates a portfolio of Australian radio and outdoor media assets.

In November 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of Move, a leading provider of online real estate services. The acquisition expanded the Company’s digital real estate services business into the U.S., one of the largest real estate markets. The aggregate cash payment at closing to acquire the outstanding shares of Move was approximately $864 million, which was funded with cash on hand. The Company also assumed equity-based compensation awards with a fair value of $67 million, of which $28 million was allocated to pre-combination services and included in total consideration transferred for Move. The remaining $39 million was allocated to future services and is being expensed over the weighted average remaining service period of 2.5 years. In addition, the Company assumed Move’s outstanding indebtedness of approximately $129 million, which the Company settled following the acquisition, and acquired approximately $108 million of cash.

The total transaction value for the Move acquisition is set forth below (in millions):

 

Cash paid for Move equity

   $ 864   

Assumed equity-based compensation awards—pre-combination services

     28   
  

 

 

 

Total consideration transferred

     892   

Plus: Assumed debt

     129   

Plus: Assumed equity-based compensation awards—post-combination services

     39   

Less: Cash acquired

     (108
  

 

 

 

Total transaction value

   $ 952   
  

 

 

 

Move’s results of operations are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

 

43


Table of Contents

In November 2014, SEEKAsia Limited (“SEEK Asia”), in which the Company owned a 12.1% interest, acquired the online employment businesses of JobStreet Corporation Berhad (“JobStreet”), which were combined with JobsDB, Inc., SEEK Asia’s existing online employment business. The transaction was funded primarily through additional contributions by SEEK Asia shareholders which did not have an impact on the Company’s ownership. The Company’s share of the funding contribution was approximately $60 million. In June 2015, the Company purchased an additional 0.8% interest in SEEK Asia for approximately $7 million, which increased the Company’s investment to approximately 12.9%. In June 2016, the Company’s interest in SEEK Asia increased to approximately 13.75% as a result of the repurchase and cancellation of shares owned by certain other shareholders.

In August 2014, the Company acquired Harlequin Enterprises Limited (“Harlequin”) from Torstar Corporation for $414 million in cash, net of $19 million of cash acquired. Harlequin is a leading publisher of women’s fiction and extends HarperCollins’ global platform, particularly in Europe and Asia Pacific. Harlequin is a subsidiary of HarperCollins, and its results are included within the Book Publishing segment.

In April 2014, The Rubicon Project, Inc. (“Rubicon”), in which the Company owned approximately 5.6 million shares as of March 31, 2014, completed an initial public offering of its common stock. The Company sold approximately 850 thousand shares as part of the public offering which resulted in a pre-tax gain on sale of $6 million. Prior to the public offering, the Company’s investment in Rubicon was recorded in the Balance Sheets at cost. As a result of the offering, the Company’s remaining investment in Rubicon was designated as an available-for-sale security as of April 2014, and carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, in stockholders’ equity.

In December 2013, the Company acquired Storyful Limited (“Storyful”), a social media content agency, for approximately $25 million, of which $19 million was paid in cash, with the remainder primarily related to an earn-out that was contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. The Storyful acquisition complements the Company’s existing video capabilities, including the creation and distribution of original and on-demand programming such as WSJ Live and BallBall. Storyful’s results are included within the News and Information Services segment.

In September 2013, the Company sold the Dow Jones Local Media Group, which operated eight daily and fifteen weekly newspapers in seven states. The gain recognized on the sale of LMG was not significant as the carrying value of the assets held for sale on the date of sale approximated the proceeds received.

 

44


Table of Contents

Results of Operations—Fiscal 2016 versus Fiscal 2015

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 3,644      $ 3,835      $ (191     (5 )% 

Circulation and Subscription

     2,569        2,608        (39     (1 )% 

Consumer

     1,578        1,594        (16     (1 )% 

Other

     501        487        14        3  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     8,292        8,524        (232     (3 )% 

Operating expenses

     (4,728     (4,952     224        5  % 

Selling, general and administrative

     (2,722     (2,627     (95     (4 )% 

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net

     (158     —          (158     **   

Depreciation and amortization

     (505     (498     (7     (1 )% 

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (89     (84     (5     (6 )% 

Equity earnings of affiliates

     30        58        (28     (48 )% 

Interest, net

     43        56        (13     (23 )% 

Other, net

     18        75        (57     (76 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense)

     181        552        (371     (67 )% 

Income tax benefit (expense)

     54        (185     239        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     235        367        (132     (36 )% 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     15        (445     460        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     250        (78     328        **   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (71     (69     (2     (3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to News Corporation

   $ 179      $ (147   $ 326        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

Revenues—Revenues decreased $232 million, or 3%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The revenue decrease was mainly due to a decrease in revenues at the News and Information Services segment of $393 million, primarily resulting from the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, weakness in the print advertising market and lower free-standing insert product revenues at News America Marketing. The revenue decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment of $197 million, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Move in November 2014 and increased revenues at REA Group. The impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $112 million. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Revenue decrease of $455 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

Operating Expenses—Operating expenses decreased $224 million, or 5%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease in Operating expenses was mainly due to a decrease in operating expenses at the News and Information Services segment of $300 million, primarily as a result of the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations, lower newsprint, production and distribution costs and the impact of cost savings initiatives. The decrease in Operating expenses was partially offset by higher operating expenses at the Digital Real Estate Services segment due to the acquisition of Move in November 2014 and at the Book Publishing segment primarily due to higher costs associated with increased print book sales. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in an Operating expense decrease of $199 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

 

45


Table of Contents

Selling, general and administrative expenses—Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $95 million, or 4%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher expenses at the Digital Real Estate Services segment as a result of the acquisition of Move in November 2014 and increased costs in the News and Information Services segment. The increases at the News and Information Services segment were primarily related to the acquisition of Unruly in September 2015 and Checkout 51 in July 2015 as well as increased brand marketing and promotional expenses at the U.K. newspapers. These increases were partially offset by the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Selling, general and administrative expense decrease of $186 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net—During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized one-time costs of approximately $280 million in connection with the settlement of certain litigation and related claims at News America Marketing. In addition, in the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized a gain of $122 million in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow, Inc. (“Zillow”), which reflects settlement proceeds received from Zillow of $130 million, less $8 million paid to the National Association of Realtors® (“NAR”). (See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization expense increased $7 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization expense at the Digital Real Estate Services segment due to the acquisition of Move in November 2014, partially offset by the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a depreciation and amortization expense decrease of $27 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

Impairment and restructuring charges—In fiscal 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $89 million, of which $79 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $84 million, of which $75 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

Equity earnings of affiliatesEquity earnings of affiliates decreased $28 million, or 48%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily as a result of lower net income at Foxtel.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016         2015     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Foxtel(a)

   $ 38      $ 59      $ (21     (36 )% 

Other equity affiliates, net(b)

     (8     (1     (7     **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity earnings of affiliates

   $ 30      $ 58      $ (28     (48 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful
(a)

In accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), the Company amortized $52 million and $57 million related to excess cost over the Company’s proportionate share of its investment’s underlying net assets allocated to finite-lived intangible assets during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Such amortization is reflected in Equity earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations. (See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Foxtel revenues decreased $279 million, or 10%, as a result of the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which more than offset higher revenues in local currency. Operating income decreased primarily due to the negative net impact of foreign currency fluctuations,

 

46


Table of Contents

increased investment in programming to support subscriber growth, higher offer costs and continued investment in Presto, partially offset by lower depreciation expense resulting from Foxtel’s reassessment of the useful lives of cable and satellite installations. Net income decreased as a result of the lower operating income noted above, partially offset by lower income tax expense.

 

(b) 

Other equity affiliates, net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 includes losses primarily from the Company’s interests in Draftstars and Elara Technologies, which owns PropTiger.

Interest, net—Interest, net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 decreased $13 million, or 23%, as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and interest expense associated with the REA Facility. (See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Other, net—

 

     For the fiscal years
ended June 30,
 
(in millions)            2016                     2015          

Gain on iProperty transaction(a)

   $     29      $     —     

Impairment of marketable securities and cost method investments(b)

     (21     (5

Gain on sale of marketable securities(c)

     —          29   

Dividends received from cost method investments

     —          25   

Gain on sale of cost method investments

     —          15   

Other

     10        11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Other, net

   $ 18      $ 75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

REA Group recognized a gain of $29 million resulting from the revaluation of its previously held equity interest in iProperty during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. (See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

(b) 

The Company recorded write-offs and impairments of certain investments in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. These write-offs and impairments were taken either as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the investee or due to an other-than-temporary impairment resulting from sustained losses and limited prospects for recovery. (See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

(c) 

In August 2014, REA Group completed the sale of a minority interest held in marketable securities for total cash consideration of $104 million. As a result of the sale, REA Group recognized a pre-tax gain of $29 million, which was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and included in Other, net in the Statement of Operations.

Income tax benefit (expense)The Company’s income tax benefit and effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 were $54 million and (30%), respectively, as compared to an income tax expense and effective tax rate of $185 million and 34%, respectively, for fiscal 2015.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 the Company recorded a tax benefit of $54 million on pre-tax income of $181 million resulting in an effective tax rate that was lower than the U.S. statutory tax. The lower tax rate was primarily due to a tax benefit of approximately $106 million related to the release of previously established valuation allowances related to certain U.S. federal net operating losses and state deferred tax assets. This benefit was recognized in conjunction with management’s plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, as the Company now expects to generate sufficient U.S. taxable income to utilize these deferred tax assets prior to expiration. In addition, the effective tax rate was also impacted by the $29 million non-taxable gain resulting from the revaluation of REA Group’s previously held equity interest in iProperty.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact from foreign operations which are subject to lower tax rates, partially offset by the impact of nondeductible items and changes in our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions. (See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

47


Table of Contents

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax—For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $15 million as compared to a loss of $445 million for fiscal 2015. The income recognized in fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the impact of a $144 million tax benefit recognized upon reclassification of the Digital Education segment to discontinued operations, a tax benefit of $30 million related to the current year operations and lower operating losses as a result of the sale of Amplify Insight and Amplify Learning, which more than offset the pre-tax non-cash impairment charge recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 of $76 million and $17 million in severance and lease termination charges recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. The loss recognized in fiscal 2015 primarily relates to a non-cash impairment charge of $371 million recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2015 and a full year of operating losses at Amplify in 2015. (See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Net income (loss)Net income increased $328 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015 primarily due to higher income from discontinued operations and the income tax benefit discussed above, partially offset by the negative net impact of the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements, lower Total Segment EBITDA, the lower contribution from Other, net, lower equity earnings, primarily from Foxtel, and lower Interest, net.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interestsNet income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015, due to higher results at REA Group, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Segment Analysis

Segment EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses and excluding the impact from the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements. Segment EBITDA does not include: Depreciation and amortization, impairment and restructuring charges, equity earnings of affiliates, interest, net, other, net, income tax benefit (expense) and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what items should be included in the calculation of Segment EBITDA.

Segment EBITDA is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources within the Company’s businesses. Segment EBITDA provides management, investors and equity analysts with a measure to analyze the operating performance of each of the Company’s business segments and its enterprise value against historical data and competitors’ data, although historical results may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences). The Company believes that information about Segment EBITDA allows users of its Consolidated Financial Statements to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company’s portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net income (loss), thus providing insight into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results.

 

48


Table of Contents

Total Segment EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss), cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items, such as depreciation and amortization and impairment and restructuring charges, which are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance. The following table reconciles Total Segment EBITDA to income from continuing operations.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues

   $ 8,292      $ 8,524      $ (232     (3 )% 

Operating expenses

     (4,728     (4,952     224        5  % 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (2,722     (2,627     (95     (4 )% 

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net

     (158     —          (158     **    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment EBITDA

     684        945        (261     (28 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     (505     (498     (7     (1 )% 

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (89     (84     (5     (6 )% 

Equity earnings of affiliates

     30        58        (28     (48 )% 

Interest, net

     43        56        (13     (23 )% 

Other, net

     18        75        (57     (76 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense)

     181        552        (371     (67 )% 

Income tax benefit (expense)

     54        (185     239        **    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 235      $ 367      $ (132     (36 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015  
(in millions)    Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
    Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
 

News and Information Services

   $  5,338       $ 214      $  5,731       $ 603   

Book Publishing

     1,646         185        1,667         221   

Digital Real Estate Services

     822         344        625         201   

Cable Network Programming

     484         124        500         135   

Other

     2         (183     1         (215
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,292       $ 684      $ 8,524       $ 945   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

49


Table of Contents

News and Information Services (64% and 67% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 2,810      $ 3,163      $ (353     (11 )% 

Circulation and Subscription

     2,107        2,159        (52     (2 )% 

Other

     421        409        12        3  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     5,338        5,731        (393     (7 )% 

Operating expenses

     (3,142     (3,442     300        9  % 

Selling, general and administrative

     (1,702     (1,686     (16     (1 )% 

NAM Group settlement

     (280     —          (280     **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 214      $ 603      $ (389     (65 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** —not meaningful

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues at the News and Information Services segment decreased $393 million, or 7%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The revenue decrease was mainly due to lower advertising revenues of $353 million as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily resulting from the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, weakness in the print advertising market and lower free-standing insert product revenues at News America Marketing. Circulation and subscription revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 decreased $52 million as compared to fiscal 2015 due to the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations of $109 million, which more than offset higher paid circulation and subscription revenues at Dow Jones and the Australian newspapers resulting from price increases and digital subscriber growth. Other revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 increased $12 million as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to the $45 million contribution from Unruly which was acquired in September 2015, partially offset by lower other revenues at the U.K. newspapers and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $77 million.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Segment EBITDA at the News and Information Services segment decreased $389 million, or 65%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily due to one-time costs of approximately $280 million recognized in connection with the settlement of certain litigation and related claims, lower free-standing insert product revenues and a loss of $20 million at Checkout 51, primarily related to investment spending and acquisition-related costs. Segment EBITDA was also impacted by a decrease of $27 million at the Australian newspapers, primarily resulting from the negative net impact of foreign currency fluctuations and lower advertising revenues, which more than offset the impact of lower newsprint, production and distribution costs, and at the U.K. newspapers of $23 million, primarily due to lower revenues and higher promotion and marketing costs. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $22 million at Dow Jones, primarily due to lower newsprint, production and distribution costs and the impact of cost savings initiatives.

News Corp Australia

Revenues at the Australian newspapers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 decreased 16% compared to fiscal 2015, with the impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar resulting in a revenue decrease of $194 million, or 13%. Advertising revenues declined $203 million, primarily as a result of the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and weakness in the print advertising market in Australia. Circulation and subscription revenues declined $43 million due to the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, as price increases, digital subscriber growth and the positive impact of the 53rd week more than offset print volume declines.

 

50


Table of Contents

News UK

Revenues at the U.K. newspapers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 decreased 10% as compared to fiscal 2015. Advertising revenues decreased $63 million, primarily due to print market declines and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Circulation and subscription revenues decreased $41 million due to the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Lower revenues resulting from single-copy volume declines, primarily at The Sun, and changes in the digital strategy at The Sun, were offset by cover price increases, higher subscriptions at The Times and The Sunday Times and the positive impact of the 53rd week. Other revenues decreased $38 million due to a reduction in newsprint sales to third parties. The impact of this revenue decrease was offset in large part by lower operating expenses. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the British pound resulted in a revenue decrease of $80 million, or 6%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

Dow Jones

Revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 were relatively flat as compared to fiscal 2015. Circulation and subscription revenues increased by $33 million, primarily due to price increases and digital volume growth at The Wall Street Journal, modest growth in subscription revenues in the professional information business and the positive impact of the 53rd week, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. This increase was partially offset by lower advertising revenues of $27 million as a result of lower print advertising, partially offset by higher digital advertising revenues and the positive impact of the 53rd week. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a revenue decrease of $10 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

News America Marketing

Revenues at News America Marketing decreased 6% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to decreased revenues for free-standing insert products of $98 million, partially offset by increased in-store product revenues of $18 million.

Book Publishing (20% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Consumer

   $ 1,578      $ 1,594      $ (16     (1 )% 

Other

     68        73        (5     (7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     1,646        1,667        (21     (1 )% 

Operating expenses

     (1,145     (1,106     (39     (4 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     (316     (340     24        7  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 185      $ 221      $ (36     (16 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues at the Book Publishing segment decreased $21 million, or 1%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of $69 million in higher sales of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth and American Sniper by Chris Kyle in the prior year, an industry-wide decline in e-book sales and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. These decreases were partially offset by higher print book sales across all genres, including sales of Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee in fiscal 2016 of $42 million, and $23 million related to the acquisition of Harlequin in August 2014. The Company sold 2.0 million net units of the Divergent series in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to 8.3 million net units in fiscal 2015. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a revenue decrease of $39 million, or 2%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to

 

51


Table of Contents

fiscal 2015. Digital sales represented 19% of Consumer revenues during fiscal 2016. Digital sales decreased 15% as compared to fiscal 2015 due to an industry-wide decline in e-book sales and the lower contribution from the Divergent series. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, HarperCollins had 239 titles on The New York Times Bestseller List, with 30 titles reaching the number one position. The impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $19 million.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Segment EBITDA at the Book Publishing segment decreased $36 million, or 16%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the industry-wide decline in e-book sales and lower contribution from the Divergent series and American Sniper, partially offset by cost savings initiatives and the contribution from higher print book sales, including Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.

Digital Real Estate Services (10% and 7% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 752      $ 589      $ 163        28  % 

Circulation and Subscription

     64        36        28        78  % 

Other

     6        —          6        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     822        625        197        32  % 

Operating expenses

     (102     (58     (44     (76 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     (498     (366     (132     (36 )% 

Zillow settlement

     122        —          122        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 344      $ 201      $ 143        71  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** —not meaningful

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment increased $197 million, or 32%, as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to a $169 million increase from Move which was acquired in November 2014. The majority of the increase related to the inclusion of a full year of operations in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. Approximately $40 million of the increase related to Move was driven by increased ConnectionSM for Co-brokerage product revenues and to a lesser extent, non-listing media revenues in the period from November 2015 through the end of fiscal 2016, as compared to the comparable prior year period. At REA Group, a 5% increase in revenues resulting from higher revenues from greater residential listing depth product penetration and higher developer and media revenues was largely offset by the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a revenue decrease of $66 million, or 10%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Segment EBITDA at the Digital Real Estate Services segment increased $143 million, or 71%, as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to an increase at Move resulting from a gain of $122 million recognized in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow. The gain reflects proceeds received from Zillow of $130 million, less $8 million paid to NAR. The results at Move were also positively impacted by transaction costs of $19 million in fiscal 2015 which did not recur in the current fiscal year and higher revenues, offset by increased legal costs of $28 million related to the Zillow litigation. Total legal costs incurred in connection with the Zillow litigation were $38 million for fiscal 2016. Segment EBITDA was also impacted by higher revenues at REA Group which were partially offset by the negative net impact of currency fluctuations. These increases were partially offset by $7 million in one-time transaction costs related to the acquisition of iProperty. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Segment EBITDA decrease of $37 million, or 19%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

 

52


Table of Contents

Cable Network Programming (6% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 81      $ 82      $ (1     (1 )% 

Circulation and Subscription

     398        413        (15     (4 )% 

Other

     5        5        —             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     484        500        (16     (3 )% 

Operating expenses

     (336     (339     3        1  % 

Selling, general and administrative

     (24     (26     2        8  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 124      $ 135      $ (11     (8 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues and Segment EBITDA at the Cable Network Programming segment decreased $16 million, or 3%, and $11 million, or 8%, respectively, as compared to fiscal 2015. The revenue decrease was primarily due to the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which more than offset higher affiliate and advertising revenues. The decrease in Segment EBITDA was primarily the result of higher programming rights and production costs related to the Rugby World Cup and the National Rugby League simulcast rights, higher production costs for other sports programming and the negative net impact of foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by the absence of costs associated with the Cricket World Cup and Asian Cup which occurred during fiscal 2015 and the higher affiliate and advertising revenues noted above. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar resulted in a revenue decrease of $60 million, or 12%, and a Segment EBITDA decrease of $14 million, or 10%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $10 million.

Other (0% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change      % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

         

Advertising

   $ 1      $ 1      $  —              

Other

     1        —          1         **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     2        1        1         100

Operating expenses

     (3     (7     4         57

Selling, general and administrative

     (182     (209     27         13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ (183   $ (215   $ 32         15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

** —not meaningful

Segment EBITDA at the Other segment for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 increased $32 million, or 15%, as compared to fiscal 2015. Segment EBITDA increased primarily due to lower costs associated with the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The net expense related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters included in Selling, general and administrative expenses was $19 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to $50 million in fiscal 2015.

 

53


Table of Contents

Results of Operations—Fiscal 2015 versus Fiscal 2014

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 3,835      $ 4,019      $ (184     (5 )% 

Circulation and Subscription

     2,608        2,648        (40     (2 )% 

Consumer

     1,594        1,374        220        16  % 

Other

     487        445        42        9  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     8,524        8,486        38        —     

Operating expenses

     (4,952     (5,074     122        2  % 

Selling, general and administrative

     (2,627     (2,449     (178     (7 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     (498     (552     54        10  % 

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (84     (94     10        11  % 

Equity earnings of affiliates

     58        90        (32     (36 )% 

Interest, net

     56        68        (12     (18 )% 

Other, net

     75        (653     728        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax (expense) benefit

     552        (178     730        **   

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (185     614        (799     **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     367        436        (69     (16 )% 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (445     (142     (303     **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (78     294        (372     **   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (69     (55     (14     (25 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to News Corporation

   $ (147   $ 239      $ (386     **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

RevenuesRevenues increased $38 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The revenue increase was primarily due to increased revenues at the Book Publishing segment of $233 million, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Harlequin in August 2014, and increased revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment of $217 million, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Move in November 2014, and to a lesser extent, increased revenues at REA Group. These revenue increases were partially offset by a decrease in revenues at the News and Information Services segment of $422 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, primarily resulting from weakness in the print advertising market and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by an increase in other revenues. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Revenue decrease of $319 million for the fiscal year ended 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

Operating ExpensesOperating expenses decreased $122 million, or 2%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease in Operating expenses was mainly due to lower operating expenses at the News and Information Services segment of $264 million due to lower production and distribution costs resulting from reduced sales, the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the impact of cost savings initiatives. The decrease in Operating expenses was partially offset by higher operating expenses at the Book Publishing and Digital Real Estate Services segments, primarily due to the acquisitions of Harlequin and Move, respectively. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in an Operating expense decrease of $143 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

 

54


Table of Contents

Selling, general and administrative expenses—Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $178 million, or 7%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher expenses at the Digital Real Estate Services segment, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Move, including one-time transaction costs associated with the acquisition of $19 million, higher expenses at the Book Publishing segment, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Harlequin, increased legal costs of $20 million at News America Marketing and the impact of dual rent and other facility related costs of $13 million. These increases were partially offset by the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the impact of cost savings initiatives. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Selling, general and administrative expense decrease of $127 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $54 million, or 10%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to lower depreciation expense at the News and Information Services segment of $93 million, partially offset by increased depreciation at the Digital Real Estate Services segment and Book Publishing segment, primarily due to the acquisitions of Move and Harlequin, respectively. Depreciation and amortization in fiscal 2014 included approximately $30 million related to accelerated depreciation at the U.K. newspapers as a result of changes in the useful lives of leased facilities that the Company exited in fiscal 2014. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a depreciation and amortization expense decrease of $22 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

Impairment and restructuring chargesIn fiscal 2015, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $84 million, of which $75 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

In fiscal 2014, the Company recorded impairment charges of $15 million, primarily related to the sale of a U.S. printing facility. In fiscal 2014, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $79 million, of which $67 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

Equity earnings of affiliatesEquity earnings of affiliates decreased $32 million, or 36%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to lower net income at Foxtel.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
       2015         2014        Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                 Better/(Worse)  

Foxtel(a)

   $ 59      $ 90       $ (31     (34 )% 

Other equity affiliates

     (1     —           (1     **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity earnings of affiliates

   $ 58      $ 90       $ (32     (36 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

In accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), the Company amortized $57 million and $62 million related to excess cost over the Company’s proportionate share of its investment’s underlying net assets allocated to finite-lived intangible assets during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such amortization is reflected in Equity earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations. (See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, Foxtel revenues of $2,658 million were down from $2,897 million in fiscal 2014, due to the adverse impact of foreign currency fluctuations which more than offset higher subscription revenues. In local currency, Foxtel revenues increased marginally. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, Foxtel operating income of $441 million decreased from $554 million in fiscal 2014,

 

55


Table of Contents

primarily due to the negative net impact of foreign currency fluctuations and short-term impacts related to investment in key initiatives: the new Foxtel pricing and packaging, increased investment in Presto and the launch of Triple Play. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 Foxtel net income of $232 million decreased from $304 million in the prior year as a result of the decrease in operating income discussed above, partially offset by favorable fair value movements on hedged items.

Interest, net—Interest, net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 decreased $12 million, or 18%, as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to a lower overall cash balance during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Other, net—

 

         For the fiscal years ended June 30,       
         2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Impairment of marketable securities and cost method investments

   $ (5   $ (10

Foreign tax refund payable to 21st Century Fox(a)

     —          (721

Gain on third party pension contribution(b)

     —          37   

Gain on sale of Australian property

     —          36   

Gain on sale of marketable securities(c)

     29        6   

Dividends received from cost method investments

     25        —     

Gain on sale of cost method investments

     15        —     

Other

     11        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Other, net

   $ 75      $ (653
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded a receivable related to a refund of taxes plus interest in a foreign jurisdiction of $794 million and recorded a tax benefit, net of applicable taxes on interest, of $721 million to Income tax benefit in the Statements of Operations. Refunds received related to this matter were paid to 21st Century Fox, net of applicable taxes on interest, in accordance with the terms of the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement. Accordingly, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded an expense to Other, net of $721 million for the payable to 21st Century Fox in the Statements of Operations. (See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

(b)

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, a $37 million contribution was made by a third party to one of the Company’s pension plans in connection with the sale of a business in a prior period. The contribution was contractually stipulated in the sale agreement and was made on behalf of former employees who retained certain pension benefits. This resulted in a gain being recognized in Other, net in the Statements of Operations during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.

(c)

In August 2014, REA Group completed the sale of a minority interest held in marketable securities for total cash consideration of $104 million. As a result of the sale, REA Group recognized a pre-tax gain of $29 million, which was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and included in Other, net in the Statement of Operations.

Income tax (expense) benefit—The Company’s income tax expense and effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 were $185 million and 34%, respectively, as compared to an income tax benefit and effective tax rate of $614 million and 345%, respectively, for fiscal 2014.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact from foreign operations which are subject to lower tax rates, partially offset by the impact of nondeductible items. (See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 the Company recorded a tax benefit, net of applicable tax on interest, related to refunds received from a foreign jurisdiction which increased the effective tax rate by 405%. In

 

56


Table of Contents

accordance with the terms of the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, the Company paid the foreign tax refunds to 21st Century Fox and recorded an expense to Other, net in the Statements of Operations. (See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The expense recorded to Other, net is not deductible for income tax purposes and resulted in a 142% reduction to the effective tax rate. The Company also recorded a benefit related to the effects of foreign operations in Australia and the United Kingdom which were subject to lower tax rates which increased the effective tax rate by 38%.

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax—For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $445 million as compared to a loss of $142 million for fiscal 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a non-cash impairment charge of $371 million that was recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. As part of the Company’s long-range planning process, the Company changed its strategy and related outlook with respect to the Amplify reporting unit which resulted in a reduction in expected future cash flows for the business. As a result, the Company determined that the fair value of this reporting unit declined below its carrying value. The charge primarily consisted of a write-down of the Company’s goodwill of $325 million and a write-down of capitalized software development costs of $45 million. (See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Net (loss) income—Net income decreased $372 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease in net income was primarily related to lower income from discontinued operations resulting from the non-cash impairment charge recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2015, lower equity earnings, higher taxes as noted above and lower Segment EBITDA, partially offset by favorable depreciation expense.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests—Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $14 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, due to higher results at REA Group.

Segment Analysis

Segment EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses and excluding the impact from the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements. Segment EBITDA does not include: Depreciation and amortization, impairment and restructuring charges, equity earnings of affiliates, interest, net, other, net, income tax benefit (expense) and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what items should be included in the calculation of Segment EBITDA.

Segment EBITDA is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources within the Company’s businesses. Segment EBITDA provides management, investors and equity analysts with a measure to analyze the operating performance of each of the Company’s business segments and its enterprise value against historical data and competitors’ data, although historical results may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences). The Company believes that information about Segment EBITDA allows users of its Consolidated Financial Statements to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company’s portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net income (loss), thus providing insight into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results.

 

57


Table of Contents

Total Segment EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net (loss) income, cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items, such as depreciation and amortization and impairment and restructuring charges, which are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance. The following table reconciles Total Segment EBITDA to Income from continuing operations.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014     Change     Change %
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues

   $ 8,524      $ 8,486      $ 38          —   

Operating expenses

     (4,952     (5,074     122        2  % 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (2,627     (2,449     (178     (7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment EBITDA

     945        963        (18     (2 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     (498     (552     54        10  % 

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (84     (94     10        11  % 

Equity earnings of affiliates

     58        90        (32     (36 )% 

Interest, net

     56        68        (12     (18 )% 

Other, net

     75        (653     728        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income tax (expense) benefit

     552        (178     730        **   

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (185     614        (799     **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 367      $ 436      $ (69     (16 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014  
     Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
    Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
 
     (in millions)  

News and Information Services

   $  5,731       $ 603      $  6,153       $ 665   

Book Publishing

     1,667         221        1,434         197   

Digital Real Estate Services

     625         201        408         214   

Cable Network Programming

     500         135        491         128   

Other

     1         (215     —           (241
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,524       $ 945      $ 8,486       $ 963   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

News and Information Services (67% and 72% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 3,163      $ 3,529      $ (366     (10 )% 

Circulation and subscription

     2,159        2,245        (86     (4 )% 

Other

     409        379        30        8  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     5,731        6,153        (422     (7 )% 

Operating expenses

     (3,442     (3,706     264        7  % 

Selling, general and administrative

     (1,686     (1,782     96        5  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 603      $ 665      $ (62     (9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

58


Table of Contents

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, revenues at the News and Information Services segment decreased $422 million, or 7%, as compared to fiscal 2014. The revenue decrease was primarily due to lower advertising revenues of $366 million as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily resulting from lower print advertising revenues throughout the segment. Circulation and subscription revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 decreased $86 million as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily as a result of the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Other revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 increased $30 million, primarily due to increased other revenues at News Corp Australia.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, Segment EBITDA at the News and Information Services segment decreased $62 million, or 9%, as compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease at News America Marketing of $20 million, due to increased legal expenses of $20 million, as decreased advertising revenues were offset by lower operating costs, a decrease at Dow Jones of $16 million, primarily due to lower revenues, partially offset by lower expenses related to volume declines and the impact of cost savings initiatives, a decrease at the Australian newspapers of $10 million due to the negative net impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which more than offset lower expenses and the impact of cost savings initiatives, and a decrease at the U.K. newspapers of $10 million. The decrease at the U.K. newspapers was principally as a result of lower revenues, the impact of dual rent and other facility related costs of $13 million, one-time expenses of $11 million related to the termination of a distribution contract in connection with continued cost reduction initiatives and the release of legal reserves resulting from a favorable arbitration ruling in the prior year period of $8 million, which more than offset costs savings initiatives and lower marketing costs.

News Corp Australia

Revenues at the Australian newspapers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 decreased 9% compared to fiscal 2014 with the impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar resulting in a revenue decrease of $145 million, or 8%. Revenues declined marginally in local currency. Advertising revenues declined $153 million, primarily as a result of the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and weakness in the print advertising market in Australia, partially offset by growth in digital revenues driven by news.com.au. Circulation and subscription revenues declined $37 million due to the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations as price increases and growth in digital subscribers offset print volume declines. These decreases were partially offset by increased other revenues.

News UK

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, revenues at the U.K. newspapers decreased 7% as compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease was primarily due to lower advertising revenues of $82 million resulting from overall print market declines, primarily at The Sun. Circulation and subscription revenues decreased $18 million as single-copy volume declines at The Sun and The Sunday Times and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations more than offset the impact of price increases and print and digital subscriber growth. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the British pound resulted in a revenue decrease of $45 million, or 3%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

Dow Jones

Revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 were down 4% compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to lower revenues of $28 million resulting from the sale of the Dow Jones Local Media Group in September 2013, lower advertising revenues of $21 million as a result of print advertising declines and lower circulation and subscription revenues of $18 million, primarily as a result of decreased professional information business revenues of $42 million, partially offset by increased circulation revenues of $24 million as a result of price increases at The Wall Street Journal and WSJ.com. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a revenue decrease of $13 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.

 

59


Table of Contents

News America Marketing

Revenues at News America Marketing decreased 7% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to decreased revenues for free-standing insert products of $87 million.

Book Publishing (20% and 17% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Consumer

   $ 1,594      $ 1,374      $ 220        16  % 

Other

     73        60        13        22  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     1,667        1,434        233        16  % 

Operating expenses

     (1,106     (1,029     (77     (7 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     (340     (208     (132     (63 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 221      $ 197      $ 24        12  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, revenues at the Book Publishing segment increased $233 million, or 16%, as compared to fiscal 2014. The increase was primarily the result of the acquisition of Harlequin, which contributed $281 million of revenues during fiscal 2015. Consumer revenues associated with print and digital book sales at HarperCollins’ other divisions decreased $44 million, as increased backlist sales in the general and children’s books categories, notably American Sniper by Chris Kyle, partially offset lower revenues from the Divergent series by Veronica Roth of $84 million and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company sold 8.3 million net units of the Divergent series in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to 19.2 million net units in fiscal 2014. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a revenue decrease of $20 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. Digital sales, which consist of revenues generated through the sale of e-books and digital audio books, represented 22% of Consumer revenues during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. Digital sales increased 11% as compared to fiscal 2014 due to the inclusion of Harlequin results and increased digital audio book sales, partially offset by the lower contribution from the Divergent series as well as a shift towards the non-fiction genre, which has lower e-book conversion. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, HarperCollins had 214 titles on The New York Times print and digital bestseller lists, with 15 titles reaching the number one position.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, Segment EBITDA at the Book Publishing segment increased $24 million, or 12%, as compared to fiscal 2014. The increase was primarily the result of the Harlequin acquisition, which contributed $32 million to Segment EBITDA, strong backlist sales in the general and children’s books categories and lower expenses at HarperCollins’ other divisions, offset by the lower contribution from the Divergent series and approximately $5 million of one-time transaction costs related to the acquisition of Harlequin.

 

60


Table of Contents

Digital Real Estate Services (7% and 5% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues

        

Advertising

   $ 589      $ 408      $ 181        44  % 

Circulation and Subscription

     36        —          36        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     625        408        217        53  % 

Operating expenses

     (58     —          (58     **   

Selling, general and administrative

     (366     (194     (172     (89 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 201      $ 214      $ (13     (6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment increased $217 million, or 53%, as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to the acquisition of Move, which contributed $188 million in revenues during fiscal 2015, and higher revenues at REA Group of $29 million due to the impact of increased listing depth product penetration in Australia and higher pricing despite a decline in Australian listing volumes across the market and the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a revenue decrease of $44 million, or 11%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, Segment EBITDA at the Digital Real Estate Services segment decreased $13 million, or 6%, as compared to fiscal 2014, primarily due to a loss of $39 million related to the acquisition of Move, which includes approximately $19 million in one-time transaction costs related to the acquisition and $21 million of equity-based compensation expense, partially offset by the increased revenues at REA Group, noted above. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Segment EBITDA decrease of $25 million, or 12%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

Cable Network Programming (6% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2015 and 2014)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 82      $ 82      $   —            —   

Circulation and Subscription

     413        403        10        2  % 

Other

     5        6        (1     (17 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     500        491        9        2  % 

Operating expenses

     (339     (340     1          —   

Selling, general and administrative

     (26     (23     (3     (13 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 135      $ 128      $ 7        5  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, revenues and Segment EBITDA at the Cable Network Programming segment increased $9 million, or 2%, and $7 million, or 5%, respectively, as compared to fiscal 2014. The revenue increase was primarily due to higher affiliate and advertising revenues, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The revenue increase was offset, in part, by higher programming rights costs resulting from the broadcasts of the Cricket World Cup and Asian Cup. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar resulted in a revenue decrease of $45 million, or 9%, and a Segment EBITDA decrease of $12 million, or 10%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

 

61


Table of Contents

Other (0% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2015 and 2014)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 1      $ —        $ 1        **   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     1        —          1        **   

Operating expenses

     (7     (1     (6     **   

Selling, general and administrative

     (209     (240     31        13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ (215   $ (241   $ 26        11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** —not meaningful

Segment EBITDA at the Other segment for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 increased $26 million, or 11%, as compared to fiscal 2014. Segment EBITDA increased primarily due to lower costs associated with the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The net expense related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters included in Selling, general and administrative expenses was $50 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to $72 million in fiscal 2014.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current Financial Condition

The Company’s principal source of liquidity is internally generated funds and cash and cash equivalents on hand. As of June 30, 2016, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $1,832 million. The Company expects these elements of liquidity will enable it to meet its liquidity needs in the foreseeable future. In October 2013, the Company established a revolving credit facility of $650 million, which terminates on October 23, 2020. The Company may request that the commitments be extended under certain circumstances as set forth in the credit agreement and may also request increases in the amount of the facility up to a maximum amount of $900 million. In addition, the Company expects to have access to the worldwide capital markets, subject to market conditions, in order to issue debt if needed or desired. Although the Company believes that its cash on hand and future cash from operations, together with its access to the capital markets, will provide adequate resources to fund its operating and financing needs, its access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms in the future will be affected by many factors, including: (i) the Company’s performance, (ii) its credit rating or absence of a credit rating, (iii) the liquidity of the overall capital markets and (iv) the current state of the economy. There can be no assurances that the Company will continue to have access to the capital markets on acceptable terms. See Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for further discussion.

As of June 30, 2016, the Company’s consolidated assets included $813 million in cash and cash equivalents that was held by its foreign subsidiaries. $95 million of this amount is cash not readily accessible by the Company as it is held by REA Group, a majority owned but separately listed public company. REA Group must declare a dividend in order for the Company to have access to its share of REA Group’s cash balance. Additionally, the Company has specifically set aside $315 million of cash for use in the Wireless Group Offer and has classified it as restricted cash as of June 30, 2016. The Company earns income outside the U.S., which is deemed to be permanently reinvested in certain foreign jurisdictions. The Company does not currently intend to repatriate these earnings. Should the Company require more capital in the U.S. than is generated by and/or available to its domestic operations, the Company could elect to transfer funds held in foreign jurisdictions. The transfer of funds from foreign jurisdictions may be cumbersome due to local regulations, foreign exchange controls and withholding taxes. Additionally, the transfer of funds from foreign jurisdictions may result in higher effective tax rates and higher cash paid for income taxes for the Company.

 

62


Table of Contents

The principal uses of cash that affect the Company’s liquidity position include the following: operational expenditures including employee costs; paper purchases; capital expenditures; income tax payments; investments in associated entities and acquisitions. In addition to the acquisitions and dispositions disclosed elsewhere, the Company has evaluated, and expects to continue to evaluate, possible future acquisitions and dispositions of certain businesses. Such transactions may be material and may involve cash, the issuance of the Company’s securities or the assumption of indebtedness.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500 million of its Class A Common Stock. On May 10, 2015, the Company announced it had begun repurchasing shares of Class A Common Stock under the stock repurchase program. Through August 5, 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 5.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $71 million. The remaining authorized amount under the stock repurchase program as of August 5, 2016 was approximately $429 million. All decisions regarding any future stock repurchases are at the sole discretion of a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors and management. The committee’s decisions regarding future stock repurchases will be evaluated from time to time in light of many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the committee may deem relevant. The stock repurchase authorization may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors cannot provide any assurances that any additional shares will be repurchased. The total number and value of shares repurchased for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016              2015              2014      
     (in millions)  

Total cost of repurchases

   $ 39       $ 32         —     

Total number of shares repurchased

     3.1         2.1         —     

Dividends

Dividends declared and paid per share on both the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock totaled $0.20 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. No dividends were declared or paid in fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014.

Sources and Uses of Cash—Fiscal 2016 versus Fiscal 2015

Net cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2016      2015  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 952       $ 988   

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $36 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily due to lower dividends received from Foxtel and cost method investments of $104 million and higher restructuring payments of $44 million during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was offset by net proceeds received in fiscal 2016 from the Zillow litigation settlement of $122 million and a benefit in working capital related to the 53rd week.

 

63


Table of Contents

Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2016     2015  

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

   $ (1,124   $ (1,671

The Company had net cash used in investing activities of $1,124 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $1,671 million for fiscal 2015. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company used $520 million of cash for acquisitions, primarily for the acquisitions of iProperty, Unruly, DIAKRIT, Flatmates and Checkout 51. The Company also has capital expenditures of $256 million in fiscal 2016. Additionally, the Company has set aside $315 million of cash for use in the Wireless Group Offer as a result of U.K. takeover regulations and has classified this as restricted cash.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company used $1,190 million of cash for acquisitions, primarily the acquisitions of Move and Harlequin, and used $355 million of cash for investments, primarily consisting of approximately $112 million for its investment in APN, $100 million for its investment in iProperty and approximately $67 million for its investment in SEEK Asia. The Company also had capital expenditures of $308 million which included $50 million related to the relocation of the Company’s U.K. operations to a new site in London. The net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 was partially offset by proceeds from dispositions of $182 million, primarily resulting from the sale of marketable securities.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2016      2015  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations

   $ 150       $ (190

The Company had net cash provided by financing activities of $150 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $190 million for fiscal 2015. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 the Company had proceeds from borrowings under the REA Facility of approximately $340 million. The net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 was partially offset by dividend payments of $116 million to News Corporation stockholders and repurchases of News Corporation shares for $41 million.

Cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 was primarily the result of the repayment of debt assumed in the acquisition of Move of approximately $129 million and repurchases of News Corporation shares for $30 million.

Sources and Uses of Cash—Fiscal 2015 versus Fiscal 2014

Net cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2015      2014  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 988       $ 1,029   

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $41 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease was primarily due to the absence of the net receipts related to a foreign tax refund of $73 million and lease incentives of $35 million received during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, as well as higher net tax payments of $54 million in the fiscal year ended June 30 2015. The decrease in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 was partially offset by lower pension contributions of $92 million, lower restructuring payments of $55 million and lower payments for fees and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters of $31 million. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S dollar against local currencies resulted in an operating cash flow decrease of approximately $55 million, or 6%.

 

64


Table of Contents

Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2015     2014  

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

   $ (1,671   $ (285

The Company had net cash used in investing activities of $1,671 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $285 million for fiscal 2014. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company used $1,190 million of cash for acquisitions, primarily the acquisitions of Move and Harlequin, and used $355 million of cash for investments, primarily consisting of approximately $112 million for its investment in APN, $100 million for its investment in iProperty and approximately $67 million for its investment in SEEK Asia. The Company also had capital expenditures of $308 million which included $50 million related to the relocation of the Company’s operations to a new site in London. The net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 was partially offset by proceeds from dispositions of $182 million, primarily resulting from the sale of marketable securities.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, the Company had capital expenditures of $358 million and made investments of $84 million, primarily in marketable securities. In fiscal 2014, the Company utilized $45 million for acquisitions, primarily to acquire Storyful. The net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 was partially offset by proceeds from dispositions of $202 million, primarily resulting from the sale of the Dow Jones Local Media Group.

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2015     2014  

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations

   $ (190   $ 189   

The change in net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2014 was primarily due to the repayment of debt assumed in the acquisition of Move of approximately $129 million and repurchase of News Corp shares for $30 million during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.

Cash provided from financing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 is attributable to net transfers from 21st Century Fox and its affiliates of $217 million.

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow Available to News Corporation

Free cash flow available to News Corporation is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, less capital expenditures (“free cash flow”) less REA Group free cash flow, plus cash dividends received from REA Group. Free cash flow available to News Corporation excludes cash flows from discontinued operations. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, cash flows from continuing operations and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what items should be included in the calculation of Free Cash Flow.

The Company considers free cash flow available to News Corporation to provide useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after capital expenditures which can then be used for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in the Company’s business, strategic acquisitions, strengthening the Company’s balance sheet, dividend payouts and repurchasing stock. A limitation of free cash flow available to News Corporation is that it does not represent the total increase or

 

65


Table of Contents

decrease in the cash balance for the period. Management compensates for the limitation of free cash flow available to News Corporation by also relying on the net change in cash and cash equivalents as presented in the Statements of Cash Flows prepared in accordance with GAAP which incorporate all cash movements during the period.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by continuing operating activities to free cash flow available to News Corporation:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 952      $ 988      $ 1,029   

Less: Capital expenditures

     (256     (308     (358
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     696        680        671   

Less: REA Group free cash flow

     (131     (130     (145

Plus: Cash dividends received from REA Group

     45        45        35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow available to News Corporation

   $ 610      $ 595      $ 561   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow available to News Corporation increased by $15 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 to $610 million from $595 million in fiscal 2015. The improvement was primarily due lower capital expenditures due to the absence of costs associated with the relocation of the Company’s operations to a new site in London in fiscal 2015, partially offset by lower cash provided by operating activities as discussed above. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a decrease of free cash flow available to News Corporation of approximately $48 million, or 8% for fiscal 2016.

Free cash flow available to News Corporation in fiscal 2015 of $595 million increased from $561 million in fiscal 2014, primarily due to lower capital expenditures, as well as higher dividends received from REA and lower REA Group cash flow, which is excluded from free cash flow available to News Corporation, partially offset by lower cash provided by operating activities discussed above.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company’s Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) provides for an unsecured $650 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) that can be used for general corporate purposes. The Facility has a sublimit of $100 million available for issuances of letters of credit. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company may request increases in the amount of the Facility up to a maximum amount of $900 million.

In October 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) which, among other things, extended the original term of the Facility by two years and lowered the commitment fee payable by the Company. As a result of the Amendment, the lenders’ commitments now terminate on October 23, 2020, and any borrowings will be due at that time. The Company may request that the commitments be extended under certain circumstances as set forth in the Credit Agreement for up to two additional one-year periods.

The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, with customary exceptions, including limitations on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to engage in transactions with affiliates, incur liens, merge into or consolidate with any other entity, incur subsidiary debt or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or all or substantially all of the stock of its subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain an adjusted operating income leverage ratio of not more than 3.0 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. If any of the events of default occur and are not cured within applicable grace periods or waived, any unpaid amounts under the Credit Agreement may be declared immediately due and payable. As of June 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of the applicable debt covenants.

 

66


Table of Contents

Interest on borrowings under the Facility is based on either (a) a Eurodollar Rate formula or (b) the Base Rate formula, each as set forth in the Credit Agreement. The applicable margin and the commitment fee are based on the pricing grid in the Credit Agreement, which varies based on the Company’s adjusted operating income leverage ratio. As of June 30, 2016, the Company was paying a commitment fee of 0.225% on any undrawn balance and an applicable margin of 0.50% for a Base Rate borrowing and 1.50% for a Eurodollar Rate borrowing.

As of the date of this filing, the Company has not borrowed any funds under the Facility.

REA Group Unsecured Revolving Loan Facility

REA Group entered into a A$480 million unsecured syndicated revolving loan facility agreement in connection with the acquisition of iProperty. The REA Facility consists of three sub facilities of A$120 million, A$120 million and A$240 million which become due in December 2017, December 2018 and December 2019, respectively. In February 2016, REA Group drew down the full A$480 million (approximately $340 million as of such date) available under the REA Facility, and the proceeds, less lenders’ fees of $1 million, were used to fund the iProperty acquisition. Borrowings under the REA Facility bear interest at a floating rate of the Australian BBSY plus a margin in the range of 0.85% and 1.45% depending on REA Group’s net leverage ratio. As of June 30, 2016, REA Group was paying a margin of between 1.00% and 1.20%. REA Group paid approximately $4 million in interest for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 at a weighted average interest rate of 3.2%. The REA Facility requires REA Group to maintain a net leverage ratio of not more than 3.25 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. As of June 30, 2016, REA Group was in compliance with all of the applicable debt covenants.

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 following table summarizes the Company’s material firm commitments as of June 30, 2016.

 

     As of June 30, 2016  
     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      1 year      2-3 years      4-5 years      After 5
years
 
     (in millions)  

Purchase obligations(a)

   $ 787       $ 339       $ 183       $ 99       $ 166   

Sports programming rights(b)

     1,184         158         379         388         259   

Operating leases(c)

              

Land and buildings

     1,436         129         274         207         826   

Plant and machinery

     4         2         2         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commitments and contractual obligations

   $ 3,411       $ 628       $ 838       $ 694       $ 1,251   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The Company has commitments under purchase obligations related to printing contracts, capital projects, marketing agreements and other legally binding commitments.

(b)

The Company has sports programming rights commitments with the National Rugby League, Australian Rugby Union and International Cricket as well as certain other broadcast rights which are payable through fiscal 2023. In November 2015, the Company entered into a sports programming rights agreement with the National Rugby League to license certain media rights for a five year period from 2018 to 2022 for approximately $775 million (A$1.1 billion). In August 2015, the Company entered into a sports programming rights agreement with the Australian Football League to license certain media rights for a six year period from 2017 to 2022 for approximately $850 million (A$1.2 billion). The sports programming rights for the Australian Football League were novated to Foxtel in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and are not included in the table above.

 

67


Table of Contents
(c)

The Company leases office facilities, warehouse facilities, printing plants and equipment. These leases, which are classified as operating leases, are expected to be paid at certain dates through fiscal 2062. This amount includes approximately $250 million for office facilities that have been subleased from 21st Century Fox.

The Company has certain contracts to purchase newsprint, ink and plates that require the Company to purchase a percentage of its total requirements for production. Since the quantities purchased annually under these contracts are not fixed and are based on the Company’s total requirements, the amount of the related payments for these purchases is excluded from the table above.

The table also excludes the Company’s pension obligations, other postretirement benefits (“OPEB”) obligations and the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions as the Company is unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount and timing of the commitments. The Company made contributions of $26 million and $9 million to its pension plans in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. Future plan contributions are dependent upon actual plan asset returns and interest rates and statutory requirements. The Company anticipates that it will make contributions of approximately $25 million in fiscal 2017, assuming that actual plan asset returns are consistent with the Company’s expected returns in fiscal 2016 and beyond, and that interest rates remain constant. The Company will continue to make voluntary contributions as necessary to improve the funded status of the plans. Payments due to participants under the Company’s pension plans are primarily paid out of underlying trusts. Payments due under the Company’s OPEB plans are not required to be funded in advance, but are paid as medical costs incurred by covered retiree populations, and are principally dependent upon the future cost of retiree medical benefits under the Company’s OPEB plans. The Company expects its OPEB payments to approximate $10 million in fiscal 2017. (See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Contingencies

The Company routinely is involved in various legal proceedings, claims and governmental inspections or investigations, including those discussed below. The outcome of these matters and claims is subject to significant uncertainty, and the Company often cannot predict what the eventual outcome of pending matters will be or the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters. Fees, expenses, fines, penalties, judgments or settlement costs which might be incurred by the Company in connection with the various proceedings could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

The Company establishes an accrued liability for legal claims when it 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. Legal fees associated with litigation and similar proceedings are expensed as incurred. The Company recognizes gain contingencies when the gain becomes realized or realizable. (See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company’s operations are subject to tax in various domestic and international jurisdictions and as a matter of course, it is regularly audited by federal, state and foreign 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 financial condition, future results of operations or liquidity. As subsidiaries of 21st Century Fox prior to the Separation, the Company and each of its domestic subsidiaries have joint and several liability with 21st Century Fox for the consolidated U.S. federal income taxes of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group relating to any taxable periods during which the Company or any of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries are or were a member of the 21st Century Fox 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 21st Century Fox consolidated group. In conjunction with the Separation, the Company entered into the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement with 21st Century Fox

 

68


Table of Contents

(the “Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement”), which requires 21st Century Fox to indemnify the Company for any such liability. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or other taxing authorities in amounts that the Company cannot quantify.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it is important to the Company’s financial condition and results and if it requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. The development and selection of these critical accounting policies have been determined by management of the Company. (See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, including goodwill, newspaper mastheads, trade names, distribution networks, publishing rights, copyrighted products, trademarks and property, plant and equipment. Assets acquired in business combinations are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is recorded as the difference between the cost of acquiring an entity and the estimated fair values assigned to its tangible and identifiable intangible net assets and is assigned to one or more reporting units for purposes of testing for impairment.

Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. Identifying reporting units and assigning goodwill to them requires judgment involving the aggregation of business units with similar economic characteristics and the identification of existing business units that benefit from the acquired goodwill. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of long-lived assets acquired, their reporting unit, as well as their useful lives can significantly impact net income. The Company allocates goodwill to disposed businesses using the relative fair value method.

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter and at other times if a significant event or change in circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of these assets has been reduced below their carrying value. The Company uses its judgment in assessing whether assets may have become impaired between annual impairment assessments. Indicators such as unexpected adverse economic factors, unanticipated technological change or competitive activities, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts, may signal that an asset has become impaired.

The valuation of goodwill requires assumptions and estimates of many factors, including revenue and market growth, operating cash flows, market multiples and discount rates. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, as part of the Company’s long-range planning process, the Company completed its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test.

 

69


Table of Contents

The Company determined that the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets included in the Balance Sheets were not impaired for the Company’s reporting units. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method for these reporting units were discount rates (ranging from 9%-14.5%), long-term growth rates (ranging from 0%-3.5%) and royalty rates (ranging from 0.5%-3.4%). Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the market approach valuation methods were EBITDA multiples from guideline public companies operating in similar industries and control premiums (ranging from 10%-15%).

Significant increases (decreases) in royalty rates, growth rates, control premium and multiples, assuming no change in discount rates, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant decreases (increases) in discount rates, assuming no changes in royalty rates, growth rates, control premium and multiples, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

The fair values of the Company’s reporting units in fiscal 2016 exceeded the respective carrying values in a range from approximately 8% to 18%. Consequently, no impairments were identified. An approximate 400 basis point increase in the discount rate or, an approximate 700 basis point decrease in the projected cash flows terminal growth rate, would have resulted in a reporting unit of the News and Information Services segment and the Cable Network Programming segment failing step one of the goodwill impairment analysis, which would have required the completion of step two of the goodwill impairment analysis. The goodwill at risk associated with these reporting units is nearly $1 billion as of June 30, 2016. The Company will continue to monitor its goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for possible future impairment.

Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable, in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment” (“ASC 360”). An asset group is the lowest level of assets and liabilities for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Events or circumstances that might warrant an impairment recoverability review include, among other things, material declines in operating performance, significant adverse market conditions and planned changes in the use of an asset group.

In determining whether the carrying value of an asset group is recoverable, the Company estimates undiscounted future cash flows over the estimated life of the primary asset of the asset group. The estimates of such future cash flows require estimating such factors as future operating performance, market conditions and the estimated holding period of each asset. If all or a portion of the carrying value of an asset group is found to be non-recoverable, the Company records an impairment charge equal to the difference between the asset group’s carrying value and its fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sales prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Typical assumptions applied when using a market-based approach include projected EBITDA and related multiples. Typical assumptions applied when using an income approach include projected free cash flows, discount rates and long-term growth rates. All of these assumptions are made by management based on the best available information at the time of the estimates and are subject to deviations from actual results.

In fiscal 2016, given the decline in operating performance at certain reporting units, the Company performed an analysis over fixed to determine if such assets continue to be recoverable. As a result of the analysis, the Company determined that the fixed assets reviewed as part of the analysis continue to be recoverable.

Income Taxes

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions in which it operates and records its tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences in its reported results of operations. Tax laws

 

70


Table of Contents

are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s tax expense and in evaluating its tax positions including evaluating uncertainties as promulgated under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.”

The Company’s annual tax rate is based on its income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies available in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Significant management judgment is required in determining the Company’s provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and the valuation allowance recorded against the Company’s net deferred tax assets, if any. In assessing the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets, management considers historical results and estimates of the amount and character of future taxable income. The Company’s actual effective tax rate and income tax expense could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including changes in income tax laws, tax planning, the outcome of tax audits and the Company’s forecasted financial condition and results of operations in future periods. Although the Company believes current estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Significant management judgment is required to determine whether the recognition threshold has been met and, if so, the appropriate amount of unrecognized tax benefits to be recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management re-evaluates tax positions each period in which new information about recognition or measurement becomes available. The Company’s policy is to recognize, when applicable, interest and penalties on unrecognized income tax benefits as part of Income tax benefit (expense).

Retirement Benefit Obligations

The Company’s employees participate in various defined benefit pension and postretirement plans sponsored by the Company and its subsidiaries. (See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company records amounts relating to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans based on calculations specified by GAAP. The measurement and recognition of the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans require the use of significant management judgments, including discount rates, expected return on plan assets, mortality and other actuarial assumptions. Net periodic benefit costs (income) is calculated based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including a discount rate for plan obligations and an expected rate of return on plan assets. Current market conditions, including changes in investment returns and interest rates, were considered in making these assumptions. In developing the expected long-term rate of return, the pension portfolio’s past average rate of returns, and future return expectations of the various asset classes were considered. The expected long-term rate of return is based on a direct asset allocation assumption of 26% equities, 62% fixed-income securities and 12% cash and other investments. Total net periodic benefit costs (income) for the plans were $8 million, $(4) million and $7 million, for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The discount rate reflects the market rate for high-quality fixed-income investments on the Company’s annual measurement date of June 30 and is subject to change each fiscal year. The discount rate assumptions used to account for pension and other postretirement benefit plans reflect the rates at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled. The rate was determined by matching the Company’s expected benefit payments for the plans to a hypothetical yield curve developed using a portfolio of several hundred high-quality non-callable corporate bonds. For fiscal 2016 and the prior periods presented, the Company estimated the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs (income) utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate for each country in which the Company has plans derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation.

 

71


Table of Contents

The key assumptions used in developing the Company’s fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014 net periodic benefit costs (income) for its plans consist of the following:

 

     2016     2015     2014  
     (in millions, except %)  

Weighted average discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit costs (income)

     3.9     4.2     4.6

Assets:

      

Expected rate of return

     5.7     6.3     6.8

Expected return

   $ 81      $ 93      $ 93   

Actual return

   $ 121      $ 96      $ 109   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss)

   $ 40      $ 3      $ 16   

One year actual return

     9.4     7.2     8.7

Five year actual return

     7.7     8.6     10.2

The weighted average discount rate is volatile from year to year because it is determined based upon the prevailing rates in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia as of the measurement date. Beginning in fiscal 2017, the Company will change the method used to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The new method utilizes a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to their underlying projected cash flows. The Company will change to the new method to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and their corresponding spot rates. The change is accounted for as a change in accounting estimate which is applied prospectively. Although the discount rate used for each plan will be established and applied individually, a weighted average discount rate of 3.1% will be used in calculating the fiscal 2017 net periodic benefit costs (income). This change in estimate is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s pension and postretirement net periodic benefit expense in future periods.

The Company will use a weighted average long-term rate of return of 5.7% for fiscal 2017 based principally on a combination of current asset mix and historical experience of actual plan returns. The accumulated net pre-tax losses on the Company’s pension plans as of June 30, 2016 were approximately $610 million which increased from approximately $570 million for the Company’s pension plans as of June 30, 2015. This increase of $40 million was primarily due to a reduction in the discount rate across all plans and utilized in measuring the Company’s domestic and international pension obligations. Lower discount rates increase present values of benefit obligations and increase the Company’s deferred losses and also increase subsequent-year benefit costs. Higher discount rates decrease the present values of benefit obligations and reduce the Company’s accumulated net loss and also decrease subsequent-year benefit costs. These deferred losses are being systematically recognized in future net periodic benefit costs (income) in accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits.” Unrecognized losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the plan’s projected benefit obligation are recognized over the average life expectancy for plan participants.

The Company made contributions of $26 million, $9 million and $137 million to its pension plans in fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In fiscal 2014, approximately $37 million of the contributions were made by a third party in connection with the sale of a business in a prior period on behalf of former employees who retained certain pension benefits. Future plan contributions are dependent upon actual plan asset returns, statutory requirements and interest rate movements. Assuming that actual plan returns are consistent with the Company’s expected plan returns in fiscal 2016 and beyond, and that interest rates remain constant, the Company anticipates that it will make contributions of approximately $25 million in fiscal 2017. The Company will continue to make voluntary contributions as necessary to improve the funded status of the plans. (See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

72


Table of Contents

Changes in net periodic benefit costs may occur in the future due to changes in the Company’s expected rate of return on plan assets and discount rate resulting from economic events. The following table highlights the sensitivity of the Company’s pension obligations and expense to changes in these assumptions, assuming all other assumptions remain constant:

 

Changes in Assumption

  

Impact on Annual

Pension Expense

  

Impact on Projected

Benefit Obligation

0.25 percentage point decrease in
discount rate

   Increase $3 million    Increase $87 million

0.25 percentage point increase in
discount rate

   Decrease $2 million    Decrease $80 million

0.25 percentage point decrease in
expected rate of return on assets

   Increase $3 million                —  

0.25 percentage point increase in
expected rate of return on assets

   Decrease $3 million                —  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

73


Table of Contents
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company has exposure to different types of market risk including changes in foreign currency rates and stock prices. The Company neither holds nor issues financial instruments for trading purposes.

The following sections provide quantitative information on the Company’s exposure to foreign currency rate risk and stock price risk. The Company makes use of sensitivity analyses that are inherently limited in estimating actual losses in fair value that can occur from changes in market conditions.

Foreign Currency Rates

The Company conducts operations in three principal currencies: the U.S. dollar; the Australian dollar; and the British pound sterling. These currencies operate primarily as the functional currency for the Company’s U.S., Australian and U.K. operations, respectively. Cash is managed centrally within each of the three regions with net earnings reinvested locally and working capital requirements met from existing liquid funds. To the extent such funds are not sufficient to meet working capital requirements, funding in the appropriate local currencies is made available from intercompany capital. The Company does not hedge its investments in the net assets of its Australian and U.K. foreign operations.

Because of fluctuations in exchange rates, the Company is subject to currency translation exposure on the results of its operations. Foreign currency translation risk is the risk that exchange rate gains or losses arise from translating foreign entities’ statements of earnings and balance sheets from functional currency to the Company’s reporting currency (the U.S. dollar) for consolidation purposes. The Company does not hedge translation risk because it generally generates positive cash flows from its international operations that are typically reinvested locally. Exchange rates with the most significant impact to its translation include the Australian dollar and British pound sterling. As exchange rates fluctuate, translation of its Statements of Operations into U.S. dollars affects the comparability of revenues and operating expenses between years.

The table below details the percentage of revenues and expenses by the three principal currencies for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

     U.S.
Dollars
    Australian
Dollars
    British Pound
Sterling
 

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2016

      

Revenues

     47     28     20

Operating and Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     48     24     21

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2015

      

Revenues

     43     30     21

Operating and Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     43     27     23

Based on the year ended June 30, 2016, a one cent change in each of the U.S. dollar/Australian dollar and the U.S. dollar/British pound sterling exchange rates would have impacted revenues by approximately $32 million and $11 million, respectively, for each currency on an annual basis, and would have impacted Total Segment EBITDA by approximately $7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, on an annual basis.

Stock Prices

The Company has common stock investments in publicly traded companies that are subject to market price volatility. These investments had an aggregate fair value of approximately $189 million as of June 30, 2016. A hypothetical decrease in the market price of these investments of 10% would result in a decrease in comprehensive income of approximately $19 million before tax. Any changes in fair value of the Company’s common stock investments are not recognized unless deemed other-than-temporary.

 

74


Table of Contents

Credit Risk

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may 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.

The Company’s receivables did not represent significant concentrations of credit risk as of June 30, 2016 or June 30, 2015 due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company’s products and services are sold.

The Company monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions which are counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. As of June 30, 2016, the Company did not anticipate nonperformance by any of the counterparties.

 

75


Table of Contents
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NEWS CORPORATION

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     77   

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     78   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     80   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     81   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2016 and 2015

     82   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     83   

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     84   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     85   

 

76


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of News Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of News Corporation;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of News Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of News Corporation; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting includes the controls themselves, monitoring and internal auditing practices and actions taken to correct deficiencies as identified.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, may not prevent or detect misstatements. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Also, the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was made as of a specific date. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2016, based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in the 2013 “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of News Corporation’s Board of Directors.

Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of June 30, 2016, News Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who audited and reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, has audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Their report appears on the following page.

 

77


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of News Corporation:

We have audited News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2016, based on criteria established in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). News Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, News Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of News Corporation as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2016 of News Corporation and our report dated August 12, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

August 12, 2016

 

78


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of News Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of News Corporation as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of News Corporation at June 30, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2016, based on criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated August 12, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

August 12, 2016

 

79


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

            For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     Notes          2016             2015             2014      

Revenues:

         

Advertising

      $ 3,644      $ 3,835      $ 4,019   

Circulation and subscription

        2,569        2,608        2,648   

Consumer

        1,578        1,594        1,374   

Other

        501        487        445   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

        8,292        8,524        8,486   

Operating expenses

        (4,728     (4,952     (5,074

Selling, general and administrative

        (2,722     (2,627     (2,449

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net

     15         (158     —          —     

Depreciation and amortization

        (505     (498     (552

Impairment and restructuring charges

     5,8         (89     (84     (94

Equity earnings of affiliates

     6         30        58        90   

Interest, net

        43        56        68   

Other, net

     20         18        75        (653
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense)

        181        552        (178

Income tax benefit (expense)

     18         54        (185     614   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

        235        367        436   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     4         15        (445     (142
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

        250        (78     294   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

        (71     (69     (55
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to News Corporation stockholders

      $ 179      $ (147   $ 239   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted income (loss) earnings per share:

     13          

Income from continuing operations available to News Corporation stockholders per share

      $ 0.28      $ 0.51      $ 0.65   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to News Corporation stockholders per share

        0.02        (0.77     (0.24
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders per share

      $ 0.30      $ (0.26   $ 0.41   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

 

80


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(IN MILLIONS)

 

      For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
          2016             2015             2014      

Net income (loss)

   $ 250      $ (78   $ 294   

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

      

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (398     (1,183     356   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities, net(a)

     1        (5     22   

Benefit plan adjustments, net(b)

     (32     (29     (36

Share of other comprehensive (loss) income from equity affiliates, net(c)

     (16     1        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

     (445     (1,216     341   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

     (195     (1,294     635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (71     (69     (55

Less: Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     1        24        (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to News Corporation stockholders

   $ (265   $ (1,339   $ 578   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Net of income tax expense of nil, nil and $14 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(b) 

Net of income tax (benefit) of ($14) million, ($11) million and ($3) million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(c)

Net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($7) million, $1 million and ($1) million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

 

81


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

            As of June 30,  
     Notes      2016     2015  

Assets:

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

      $ 1,832      $ 1,951   

Restricted cash

     2         315        —     

Receivables, net

     2         1,229        1,283   

Other current assets

     20         513        780   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

        3,889        4,014   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

       

Investments

     6         2,270        2,379   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     7         2,405        2,690   

Intangible assets, net

     8         2,207        2,203   

Goodwill

     8         3,714        3,063   

Deferred income tax assets

     18         602        219   

Other non-current assets

     20         396        467   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 15,483      $ 15,035   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity:

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable

      $ 217      $ 238   

Accrued expenses

        1,371        1,125   

Deferred revenue

        388        346   

Other current liabilities

     20         466        401   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        2,442        2,110   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

       

Borrowings

     9         369        —     

Retirement benefit obligations

     16         350        305   

Deferred income tax liabilities

     18         171        166   

Other non-current liabilities

        349        318   

Commitments and contingencies

     15        

Redeemable preferred stock

     10         20        20   

Class A common stock(a)

        4        4   

Class B common stock(b)

        2        2   

Additional paid-in capital

        12,434        12,433   

Retained earnings

        150        88   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

        (1,026     (582
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total News Corporation stockholders’ equity

        11,564        11,945   

Noncontrolling interests

        218        171   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

        11,782        12,116   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

      $ 15,483      $ 15,035   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 380,490,770 and 381,914,964 shares issued and outstanding, net of 27,368,413 treasury shares at par at June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

(b) 

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Class B Common Stock”), 750,000,000 shares authorized, 199,630,240 shares issued and outstanding, net of 78,430,424 treasury shares at par at June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

 

82


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN MILLIONS)

 

            For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     Notes          2016             2015             2014      

Operating activities:

         

Net income (loss)

      $ 250      $ (78   $ 294   

Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

        15        (445     (142
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations:

        235        367        436   

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to cash provided by operating activities:

         

Depreciation and amortization

        505        498        552   

Equity earnings of affiliates

     6         (30     (58     (90

Cash distributions received from affiliates

        34        138        153   

Impairment charges, net of tax

     8         —          —          14   

Other, net

     20         (18     (75     (68

Deferred income taxes and taxes payable

     18         (147     59        109   

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

         

Receivables and other assets

        22        29        (102

Inventories, net

        35        18        24   

Accounts payable and other liabilities

        342        34        104   

Pension and postretirement benefit plans

        (26     (22     (103
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

        952        988        1,029   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

         

Capital expenditures

        (256     (308     (358

Changes in restricted cash

        (315     —          —     

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

        (520     (1,190     (45

Investments in equity affiliates and other

        (51     (146     (1

Other investments

        (54     (224     (83

Proceeds from dispositions

        42        182        202   

Other

        30        15        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

        (1,124     (1,671     (285
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

         

Net transfers from 21st Century Fox and affiliates

        —          —          217   

Borrowings

     9         342        —          —     

Repayment of borrowings acquired in the Move acquisition

        —          (129     —     

Repurchase of shares

        (41     (30     —     

Dividends paid

        (147     (30     (24

Other, net

        (4     (1     (4
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations

        150        (190     189   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

        (22     (873     933   

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations

        (61     (227     (196

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

        1,951        3,145        2,381   

Exchange movement on opening cash balance

        (36     (94     27   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

      $ 1,832      $ 1,951      $   3,145   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

 

83


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(IN MILLIONS)

 

    

 

 

 

 

Class A
Common Stock

    

 

 

 

 

Class B
Common Stock

     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

(Loss) Income
    Total
News
Corporation

Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total
Equity
 
     Shares     Amount      Shares      Amount               

Balance, June 30, 2013

     379        4         200         2         12,281        —          271        12,558        118        12,676   

Net income

     —          —           —           —           —          239        —          239        55        294   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —           —           —           —          —          339        339        2        341   

Dividends

     —          —           —           —           —          (2     —          (2     (23     (25

Other

     —          —           —           —           109        —          —          109        4        113   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2014

     379        4         200         2         12,390        237        610        13,243        156        13,399   

Net (loss)

     —          —           —           —           —          (147     —          (147     69        (78

Other comprehensive loss

     —          —           —           —           —          —          (1,192     (1,192     (24     (1,216

Dividends

     —          —           —           —           —          (2     —          (2     (28     (30

Share repurchases

     (2     —           —           —           (32     —          —          (32     —          (32

Other

     5        —           —           —           75        —          —          75        (2     73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2015

     382        4         200         2         12,433        88        (582     11,945        171        12,116   

Net income

     —          —           —           —           —          179        —          179        71        250   

Other comprehensive loss

     —          —           —           —           —          —          (444     (444     (1     (445

Dividends

     —          —           —           —           —          (118     —          (118     (29     (147

Share repurchases

     (3     —           —           —           (39     —          —          (39     —          (39

Other

     1        —           —           —           40        1        —          41        6        47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2016

     380      $ 4         200       $ 2         12,434      $ 150      $ (1,026   $ 11,564      $ 218      $ 11,782   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

 

84


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

News Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “News Corporation,” “News Corp,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) is a global diversified media and information services company comprised of businesses across a range of media, including: news and information services, book publishing, digital real estate services, cable network programming in Australia and pay-TV distribution in Australia.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, management approved a plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business. As a result of the plan and the discontinuation of further significant business activities in the Digital Education segment, the assets and liabilities of this segment were classified as held for sale and the results of operations have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements relates to the Company’s continuing operations. (See Note 4—Discontinued Operations).

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are presented on a consolidated basis.

The consolidated financial statements are referred to herein as the “Consolidated Financial Statements.” The consolidated statements of operations are referred to herein as the “Statements of Operations.” The consolidated balance sheets are referred to herein as the “Balance Sheets.” The consolidated statements of cash flows are referred to herein as the “Statements of Cash Flows.”

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to June 30. Fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 included 53, 52 and 52 weeks, respectively. All references to the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 relate to the fiscal years ended July 3, 2016, June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its consolidated financial statements as of June 30.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. In addition, the Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810-10, “Consolidation” (“ASC 810-10”) and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Consolidation is required if both of these criteria are met. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation, including the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.

Changes in the Company’s ownership interest in a consolidated subsidiary where a controlling financial interest is retained are accounted for as capital transactions. When the Company ceases to have a controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary the Company will recognize a gain or loss in the Statements of Operations upon deconsolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The financial results of the Digital Education segment have been recorded as discontinued operations for all periods presented (See Note 4—Discontinued Operations).

 

85


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Use of estimates

The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and other investments that are readily convertible into cash with original maturities of three months or less. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance as of June 30, 2016 and 2015 also includes $95 million and $60 million, respectively, which is not readily accessible by the Company as it is held by REA Group Limited (“REA Group”), a majority owned but separately listed public company. REA Group must declare a dividend in order for the Company to have access to its share of REA Group’s cash balance.

The Company classifies cash as restricted when the cash is unavailable for use in general operations. The restricted cash balance of $315 million as of June 30, 2016 relates to cash set aside for the Wireless Group Offer (as defined in Note 3) in order to comply with U.K. takeover regulations. (See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions).

Concentration of credit risk

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple 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.

Receivables, net

Receivables are presented net of an allowance for returns and doubtful accounts, which is an estimate of amounts that may not be collectible. In determining the allowance for returns, management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of the Company’s products. Based on this information, management reserves a percentage of each dollar of product sales that provide the customer with the right of return. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, receivable aging, current economic trends and specific identification of certain receivables that are at risk of not being collected.

Receivables, net consist of:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016     2015  
     (in millions)  

Receivables

   $ 1,442      $ 1,503   

Allowances for returns and doubtful accounts

     (213     (220
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Receivables, net

   $ 1,229      $ 1,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company’s receivables did not represent significant concentrations of credit risk as of June 30, 2016 or June 30, 2015 due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company’s products and services are sold.

 

86


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the weighted average cost method. The Company records a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based upon a calculation using the historical usage rates, sales patterns of its products and specifically identified obsolete inventory. Inventory is included within Other current assets on the Balance Sheets.

Prepublication costs

The Company capitalizes the art, prepress, outside editorial, digital conversion and other costs incurred in the creation of the master copy of a book or other media (the “prepublication costs”). Prepublication costs are amortized from the year of publication over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method for capitalized costs with an estimated useful life of one year or less and sum of the years’ digits for capitalized costs exceeding one year. The Company regularly reviews the recoverability of the capitalized costs based on expected future revenues. Prepublications costs are included in Other current assets on the Balance Sheets and were $33 million and $34 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amortization of prepublication costs for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $43 million, $43 million and $37 million, respectively.

Investments

The Company makes investments in various businesses in the normal course of business. The Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are VIEs in accordance with ASC 810-10. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it assesses whether it has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company would consolidate any investments in which it was determined to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Investments in and advances to equity investments or joint ventures in which the Company has significant influence, but is not the primary beneficiary, and has less than a controlling voting interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the Company owns an interest between 20% and 50% or when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company includes its investment and amounts due to and from its equity method investments in its Balance Sheets. The Company’s Statements of Operations include the Company’s share of the investees’ earnings (losses) and the Company’s Statements of Cash Flows include all cash received from or paid to the investee.

The difference between the Company’s investment and its share of the fair value of the underlying net assets of the investee upon acquisition is first allocated to either finite-lived intangibles or indefinite-lived intangibles and the balance is attributed to goodwill. The Company follows ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), which requires that equity method finite-lived intangibles be amortized over their estimated useful life. Such amortization is reflected in Equity earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations. Indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill are not amortized.

Investments in which the Company has no significant influence (generally less than a 20% ownership interest) or does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are designated as available-for-sale investments if readily determinable market values are available. The Company reports available-for-sale investments at fair value based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of applicable taxes and other adjustments, until the investment is sold or considered impaired. If an investment’s fair value is not readily determinable, the Company accounts for its investment at cost.

 

87


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 3 to 50 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their useful lives or the life of the lease. Costs associated with the repair and maintenance of property, plant and equipment are expensed as incurred. Changes in circumstances, such as technological advances or changes to the Company’s business model or capital strategy, could result in the actual useful lives differing from the Company’s estimates. In those cases where the Company determines that the useful life of buildings and equipment should be shortened, the Company would depreciate the asset over its revised remaining useful life, thereby increasing depreciation expense.

Operating Leases

For operating leases, minimum lease payments, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease terms. The term used for straight-line rent expense is calculated initially from the date that the Company obtains possession of the leased premises through the expected lease termination date.

Capitalized software

In accordance with ASC 350—40 “Internal-use Software,” the Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal use software. Costs incurred in the preliminary project stage are expensed. All direct costs incurred to develop internal use software during the development stage are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, generally 2 to 10 years. Costs such as maintenance and training are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Royalty advances to authors

Royalty advances are initially capitalized and subsequently expensed as related revenues are earned or when the Company determines future recovery is not probable. The Company has a long history of providing authors with royalty advances, and it tracks each advance earned with respect to the sale of the related publication. Historically, the longer the unearned portion of the advance remains outstanding, the less likely it is that the Company will recover the advance through the sale of the publication. The Company applies this historical experience to its existing outstanding royalty advances to estimate the likelihood of recovery and a provision is established to write-off the unearned advance, usually between 6 and 12 months after publication. Additionally, the Company reviews its portfolio of unpublished royalty advances to determine if individual royalty advances are not recoverable for discrete reasons, such as the death of an author prior to completion of a title or titles, a Company decision to not publish a title, poor market demand or other relevant factors that could impact recoverability. Based on this information, the portion of any advance that the Company believes is not recoverable is expensed.

Goodwill and intangible assets

The Company has intangible assets, including goodwill, newspaper mastheads, trademarks, distribution networks, publishing rights and copyrighted products. Goodwill is recorded as the difference between the cost of acquiring entities and amounts assigned to their tangible and identifiable intangible net assets. In accordance with ASC 350, the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually during the fourth quarter for impairment or earlier if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair values below their carrying amounts. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The impairment assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles compares the fair value of these intangible assets to their carrying value.

 

88


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at a reporting unit level. Reporting units are determined based on an evaluation of the Company’s operating segments and the components making up those operating segments. For purposes of goodwill impairment review, the Company has identified Dow Jones, the Australian newspapers, the U.K. newspapers, News America Marketing, Storyful Limited (“Storyful”), FOX SPORTS Australia, HarperCollins, REA Group, Move, Inc. (“Move”), Unruly Holdings Limited (“Unruly”) and DIAKRIT International Limited (“DIAKRIT”), as its reporting units. In assessing goodwill for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether events or circumstances exist that lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company is not required to perform any additional tests in assessing goodwill for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform the first step of a two-step impairment review process. The first step of the two-step impairment process is to compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. In performing the first step, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit primarily by using a discounted cash flow analysis and market-based valuation approach methodologies. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, long-term growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in the analyses are based on the Company’s estimated outlook and various growth rates are assumed for years beyond the long-term business plan period. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting units. In assessing the reasonableness of its determined fair values, the Company evaluates its results against other value indicators, such as comparable public company trading values. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment review is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment review is required to be performed to estimate the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the estimated fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid. The implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

The Company also performs impairment reviews on its indefinite-lived intangible assets, including distribution networks, newspaper mastheads, trademarks, and imprints. Newspaper mastheads and book publishing imprints are reviewed on an aggregated basis in accordance with ASC 350. Distribution networks and trademarks are reviewed individually. In assessing its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company is not required to perform any additional tests in assessing the assets for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative analysis to determine if the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value.

The methods used to estimate the fair value measurements of impaired goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets include those based on the income approach (including the discounted cash flow and relief-from-royalty methods) and those based on the market approach (primarily the guideline public company

 

89


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

method). The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to be Level 3 measurements. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation methods are discount rates, long-term growth rates and royalty rates. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the market approach valuation methods are EBITDA multiples from guideline public companies operating in similar industries and a control premium.

When a business within a reporting unit is disposed of, goodwill is allocated to the disposed business using the relative fair value method.

Asset impairments

Investments

Equity method investments are regularly reviewed to determine whether a significant event or change in circumstances has occurred that may impact the fair value of each investment. If the fair value of the investment has dropped below the carrying amount, management considers several factors when determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in market value has occurred, including the length of time and extent to which the market value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and other factors influencing the fair market value, such as general market conditions.

The Company regularly reviews available-for-sale investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which the investment’s carrying value exceeds its related market value, the duration of the market decline, the Company’s ability to hold until recovery and the financial strength and specific prospects of the issuer of the security.

The Company regularly reviews investments accounted for at cost for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which the investment’s carrying value exceeds its related estimated fair value, the duration of the estimated fair value decline, the Company’s ability to hold until recovery and the financial strength and specific prospects of the issuer of the security.

Long-lived assets

ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” (“ASC 360”) and ASC 350 require that the Company periodically review the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset, an impairment adjustment is recognized if the carrying value of such asset exceeds its fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets, accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value, less their costs to sell.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, the product or service has been delivered and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.

 

90


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

News and Information Services

Advertising revenues are recognized in the period when advertising is printed or placed on digital platforms, net of commissions and provisions for estimated sales incentives including rebates, rate adjustments and discounts. Advertising revenues from integrated marketing services are recognized when free-standing inserts are published or over the time period in which in-store marketing services are performed. Billings to clients and payments received in advance of the performance of services or delivery of products are recorded as deferred revenue until the services are performed or the product is delivered.

Circulation and information services revenues include single-copy and subscription revenues. Circulation revenues are based on the number of copies of the printed newspaper (through home-delivery subscriptions and single-copy sales) and digital subscriptions sold and the rates charged to the respective customers. Single-copy revenue is recognized based on date of publication, net of provisions for related returns. Proceeds from print, digital and electronic information services subscription revenues are deferred at the time of sale and are recognized in earnings on a pro rata basis over the terms of the subscriptions.

Other revenues are recognized when the related services are performed or the product has been delivered.

Book Publishing

Revenue from the sale of books for distribution in the retail channel is primarily recognized upon passing of control to the buyer. Revenue for electronic books (“e-books”), which is the net amount received from the retailer, is generally recognized upon electronic delivery to the customer by the retailer. Revenue is reported net of any amounts billed to customers for taxes which are remitted to government authorities.

Digital Real Estate Services

Advertising revenues from providing online real estate advertising services are recognized on the fulfillment of customer service obligations, which may include product performance and/or product service periods.

Subscription revenues from licensing and advanced reporting products are typically recognized ratably over the service period of the related subscription.

Cable Network Programming

Affiliate fees received from cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and other distribution systems are recognized as revenue in the period that services are provided. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period that the advertisements are aired.

Multiple element arrangements

Revenues derived from a single sales contract that contains multiple products and services are allocated based on the relative fair value of each item to be delivered and recognized in accordance with the applicable revenue recognition criteria for the specific unit of accounting.

Gross versus net revenue recognition

In the normal course of business, the Company acts as or uses an intermediary or agent in executing transactions with third parties. In connection with these arrangements, the Company must determine whether to report revenue based on the gross amount billed to the ultimate customer or on the net amount received from the customer after commissions and other payments to third parties.

 

91


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The determination of whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis is based on an assessment of whether the Company is acting as the principal or an agent in the transaction. If the Company is acting as a principal in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a gross basis. If the Company is acting as an agent in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a net basis. The determination of whether the Company is acting as a principal or an agent in a transaction involves judgment and is based on an evaluation of the terms of the arrangement. The Company serves as the principal in transactions in which it has substantial risks and rewards of ownership.

Barter transactions

The Company enters into transactions that involve the exchange of advertising, in part, for other products and services, which are recorded at the lesser of estimated fair value of the advertising given or product or service received in accordance with the provisions of ASC 605-20-25, “Advertising Barter Transactions.” Revenue from barter transactions is recognized when advertising is provided, and expenses are recognized when products are received or services are incurred. Revenue from barter transactions included in the Statements of Operations was $58 million, $56 million and $47 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Expense from barter transactions included in the Statements of Operations was $58 million, $56 million and $41 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Sales returns

Consistent with industry practice, certain of the Company’s products, such as books and newspapers, are sold with the right of return. The Company records, as a reduction of revenue, the estimated impact of such returns. In determining the estimate of product sales that will be returned, management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends, changes in customer demand and acceptance of the Company’s products. Based on this information, management reserves a percentage of each dollar of product sales that provide the customer with the right of return.

Advertising expenses

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred in accordance with ASC 720-35, “Other Expenses—Advertising Cost.” Advertising and promotional expenses recognized totaled $607 million, $530 million and $442 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Shipping and handling

Costs incurred for shipping and handling are reflected in Operating expenses in the Statements of Operations.

Translation of foreign currencies

The financial results and position of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into U.S. dollars using the current rate method, whereby operating results are converted at the average rate of exchange for the period and assets and liabilities are converted at the closing rates on the period end date. The resulting translation adjustments are accumulated as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are generally included in income for the period.

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Under the

 

92


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances are established where management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Deferred taxes have not been provided on the cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries to the extent amounts are expected to be reinvested indefinitely. The Company recognizes interest and penalty charges related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is calculated by dividing Net income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is calculated similarly, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed issuance of shares issuable under the Company’s equity-based compensation plans. (See Note 13—Earnings (Loss) per Share).

Equity-based compensation

Equity-based awards are accounted for in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. ASC 718 establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all companies to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for generally all share-based payment transactions with employees.

Retirement Benefit Obligations

The Company provides defined benefit pension, postretirement healthcare, defined contribution and medical benefits to the Company’s eligible employees and retirees. The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension, postretirement healthcare and defined contribution plans in accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”). The expense recognized by the Company is determined using certain assumptions, including the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return and mortality rates, among others. The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit plans (other than multiemployer plans) as an asset or liability in the Balance Sheets and recognizes changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in the Balance Sheets.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company has various financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including certain marketable securities and derivatives. The Company also applies the provisions of fair value measurement to various non-recurring measurements for the Company’s non-financial assets and liabilities. With the exception of investments measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient prescribed in ASU 2015-07, the Company measures assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements” (“ASC 820”), using inputs from the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy: (i) inputs that are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (“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) unobservable inputs that require the entity to use its own best estimates about market participant assumptions (“Level 3”).

 

93


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include investments, long-lived assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable or at least annually as of June 30 for indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair value. The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to be Level 3 measurements.

Financial instruments and derivatives

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, approximate fair value. The Company did not estimate the fair value of certain cost method investments because it was not practicable to do so. The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market which are considered to be Level 2 measurements. The Company monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions which are counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. As of June 30, 2016, the Company did not anticipate nonperformance by any of the counterparties.

ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), requires every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or a liability. ASC 815 also requires that changes in the fair value of recorded derivatives be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company uses financial instruments to hedge its limited exposures to foreign currency exchange risks primarily associated with payments made to manufacturers and service providers. These derivative contracts are primarily economic hedges. The Company records the changes in the fair value of these items in current earnings. The fair market value of foreign exchange forward contracts with foreign currency risk outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 was not material.

Recent Accounting Guidance

In May 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 removes inconsistencies and differences in existing revenue requirements between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Once effective, ASU 2014-09 can be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initial adoption recognized at the date of initial application. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” (“ASU 2016-08”). The amendments in ASU 2016-08 clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”). The amendments in ASU 2016-10 clarify aspects relating to the identification of performance obligations and improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Update 2016-12—Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”). The amendments in ASU 2016-12 address certain issues identified on assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition. The effective date for all ASUs noted above is annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact these ASUs will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

94


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis” (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 is intended to address stakeholder concerns regarding the usefulness of financial statements where a reporting entity is required to consolidate a legal entity where the reporting entity’s contractual rights do not give it the ability to act primarily on its own behalf, the reporting entity does not hold a majority of the legal entity’s voting rights, or the reporting entity is not exposed to a majority of the legal entity’s economic benefits or obligations. The update amends the accounting guidance around the consolidation of limited partnerships, the considerations surrounding the primary beneficiary determination and the consolidation of certain investment funds. ASU 2015-02 is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 16, 2015, however, early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement” (“ASU 2015-05”). ASU 2015-05 clarifies guidance about whether a customer’s cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change GAAP for customer’s accounting for service contracts. In addition, the guidance in this update supersedes paragraph 350-40-25-16. Consequently, all software licenses within the scope of Subtopic 350-40 will be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets. The amendment can either be adopted prospectively for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or retrospectively. ASU 2015-05 is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning July 1, 2016, however, early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-05 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (“ASU 2015-07”). ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share expedient. ASU 2015-07 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning July 1, 2016 with retrospective application to all periods presented. As permitted by ASU 2015-07, the Company early-adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The retrospective adoption resulted in a reduction in Level 1 pension assets of nil and $104 million at June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively and a reduction in Level 2 pension assets of $1,297 million and $1,307 million at June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively. (See Note 16—Retirement Benefit Obligations). The adoption of ASU 2015-07 did not have a significant impact on the classification of the Company’s other assets which are measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”). ASU 2015-17 amends existing guidance to require that deferred income tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and eliminates the prior guidance which required an entity to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current and non-current amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As permitted by ASU 2015-17, the Company early-adopted this standard and applied it prospectively. The prior periods have not been retroactively adjusted as a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-17.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments

 

95


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

in ASU 2016-01 address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2016-01 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The amendments in ASU 2016-02 address certain aspects in lease accounting, with the most significant impact for lessees. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 require lessees to recognize all leases on the balance sheet by recording a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, and lessor accounting has been updated to align with the new requirements for lessees. The new standard also provides changes to the existing sale-leaseback guidance. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting” (“ASU 2016-07”). The amendments in ASU 2016-07 address recognition and measurement of equity investments. The amendments in this update eliminate the requirement to retroactively adjust the investment, results of operations and retained earnings when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. ASU 2016-07 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2018. As permitted by ASU 2016-07, the Company early-adopted this standard and does not expect it to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). The amendments in ASU 2016-09 address several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2016-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3. ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSALS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS

Fiscal 2016

Checkout 51 Mobile Apps ULC

In July 2015, the Company acquired Checkout 51 Mobile Apps ULC (“Checkout 51”) for approximately $13 million in cash at closing and approximately $10 million in deferred cash consideration which was paid during fiscal 2016. Checkout 51 is a data-driven digital coupon company that provides News America Marketing with a leading receipt recognition mobile app which enables packaged goods companies and brands to reach consumers with highly personalized marketing campaigns. Checkout 51’s results are included within the Company’s News and Information Services segment.

Unruly Holdings Limited

On September 30, 2015, the Company acquired Unruly for approximately £60 million (approximately $90 million) in cash and up to £56 million (approximately $86 million) in future cash consideration related to payments primarily contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recognized a liability of approximately $40 million related to the contingent

 

96


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated by applying a probability-weighted income approach. In accordance with ASC 350, $43 million of the purchase price has been allocated to acquired technology with a weighted-average useful life of 7 years, $21 million has been allocated to customer relationships and tradenames with a weighted-average useful life of 6 years and $68 million has been allocated to goodwill. The values assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities are based on estimates of fair value available as of the date of this filing and will be adjusted upon completion of final valuations of certain assets and liabilities. Any changes in these fair values could potentially result in an adjustment to the goodwill recorded for this transaction. Unruly is a leading global video distribution platform that is focused on delivering branded video advertising across websites and mobile devices. Unruly’s results of operations are included within the News and Information Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

DIAKRIT International Limited

In February 2016, the Company acquired a 92% interest in DIAKRIT for approximately $40 million in cash. The Company also has the option to purchase, and the minority shareholders have the option to sell to the Company, the remaining 8% in two tranches over the next six years at fair value. DIAKRIT is a digital visualization solutions company that helps homeowners see the potential in their future living environment with digital visualization solutions that enable them to plan, furnish and decorate their dream home, while also helping agents and developers generate more buyer inquiries and accelerate their property sale processes. DIAKRIT’s results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

iProperty Group Limited

In February 2016, REA Group, in which the Company holds a 61.6% interest, increased its investment in iProperty Group Limited (“iProperty”) from 22.7% to approximately 86.9% for A$482 million in cash (approximately $340 million). The remaining 13.1% not currently owned will become mandatorily redeemable during fiscal 2018. As a result, the Company recognized a liability of approximately $76 million, which reflects the present value of the amount expected to be paid for the remaining interest based on the formula specified in the acquisition agreement. The acquisition was funded primarily with the proceeds from borrowings under an unsecured syndicated revolving loan facility (the “REA Facility”). (See Note 9—Borrowings). The acquisition of iProperty extends REA Group’s market leading business in Australia to attractive markets throughout Southeast Asia. iProperty is a subsidiary of REA Group, and its results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment.

 

97


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations,” REA Group recognized a gain of $29 million resulting from the revaluation of its previously held equity interest in iProperty in Other, net in the Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. The total fair value of iProperty at the acquisition date is set forth below (in millions):

 

Cash paid for iProperty equity

   $ 340   

Deferred consideration

     76   
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

     416   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of previously held iProperty investment

     120   
  

 

 

 

Total fair value

   $ 536   
  

 

 

 

Under the purchase method of accounting, the total consideration is allocated to net tangible and intangible assets based upon the fair value as of the date of completion of the acquisition. The excess of the total consideration over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The allocation is as follows (in millions):

 

Assets Acquired:

  

Goodwill

   $ 498   

Intangible assets

     72   

Net Liabilities

     (34
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   $ 536   
  

 

 

 

The acquired intangible assets primarily relate to tradenames which have an indefinite life. The values assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities are based on estimates of fair value available as of the date of this filing and will be adjusted upon completion of final valuations of certain assets and liabilities. Any changes in these fair values could potentially result in an adjustment to the goodwill recorded for this transaction.

Flatmates.com.au Pty Ltd

In May 2016, REA Group acquired Flatmates.com.au Pty Ltd (“Flatmates”) for $19 million in cash at closing and up to $15 million in future cash consideration related to payments contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. Flatmates operates the Flatmates.com.au website, which is a market leading share accommodation site in Australia. The acquisition enhances REA Group’s Australian product offering by extending its reach into the quickly growing share accommodation business. Flatmates is a subsidiary of REA Group, and its results since acquisition are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment.

Australian Regional Media

In June 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase Australian Regional Media (“ARM”) from APN News and Media Limited (“APN”) for approximately $30 million. ARM operates a portfolio of regional print assets and websites and extends the reach of the Australian newspaper business to new customers in new geographic regions. The acquisition is subject to regulatory and APN shareholder approval.

Wireless Group plc

On June 30, 2016, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer (the “Offer”) to acquire Wireless Group plc (“Wireless Group”) for a purchase price of 315 pence per share in cash, or approximately £220 million (approximately $300 million) in the aggregate, plus

 

98


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

any assumed debt at closing. Wireless Group, a publicly-traded company listed on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges, operates TalkSPORT, the leading sports radio network in the U.K., and a portfolio of radio stations in the U.K. and Ireland. The proposed acquisition is expected to broaden the Company’s range of services in the U.K., Ireland and internationally. The Offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder acceptances and regulatory approval, as well as the other terms set forth in the Company’s Offer Document. As a result of U.K. takeover regulations requiring the Company to demonstrate that necessary financial resources are available to enable full satisfaction of the consideration payable in the Offer, the Company has specifically set aside $315 million of cash for the Offer and has classified it as restricted cash in the Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2016.

Fiscal 2015

Harlequin Enterprises Limited

In August 2014, the Company acquired Harlequin Enterprises Limited (“Harlequin”) from Torstar Corporation for $414 million in cash, net of $19 million of cash acquired. Harlequin is a leading publisher of women’s fiction and extends HarperCollins’ global platform, particularly in Europe and Asia Pacific. Harlequin is a subsidiary of HarperCollins, and its results are included within the Book Publishing segment. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded net tangible assets of approximately $115 million, primarily consisting of accounts receivable, accounts payable, author advances, property, plant and equipment and inventory, at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. In addition, the Company recorded approximately $165 million of intangible assets, comprised of approximately $105 million of imprints which have an indefinite life and $60 million related to finite lived intangible assets with a weighted average life of approximately 5 years, and recorded an associated deferred tax liability of approximately $35 million. In accordance with ASC 350, the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets of approximately $185 million was recorded as goodwill on the transaction.

Move, Inc.

In November 2014, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Move, which was a publicly traded company, for $21.00 per share in cash. Move is a leading provider of online real estate services, and the acquisition expanded the Company’s digital real estate services business into the U.S., one of the largest real estate markets. Move primarily operates realtor.com®, a premier real estate information and services marketplace. Move also offers a number of professional software and services products, including Top Producer®, TigerLead® and ListHubTM. Move’s results of operations are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

 

99


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The aggregate cash payment at closing to acquire the outstanding shares of Move was approximately $864 million, which was funded with cash on hand. The Company also assumed outstanding Move equity-based compensation awards with a fair value of $67 million, consisting of vested and unvested stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock awards. Of the total fair value of the assumed equity-based compensation awards, $28 million was allocated to pre-combination services and included in total consideration transferred and $39 million was allocated to future services and is being expensed over the weighted average remaining service period of 2.5 years. (See Note 12— Equity Based Compensation). In addition, following the acquisition, the Company utilized approximately $129 million of cash to settle all of Move’s outstanding indebtedness that was assumed as part of the transaction. The total transaction value for the Move acquisition is set forth below (in millions):

 

Cash paid for Move equity

   $ 864   

Assumed equity-based compensation awards—pre-combination services

     28   
  

 

 

 

Total consideration transferred

     892   

Plus: Assumed debt

     129   

Plus: Assumed equity-based compensation awards—post-combination services

     39   

Less: Cash acquired

     (108
  

 

 

 

Total transaction value

   $ 952   
  

 

 

 

REA Group acquired a 20% interest in Move upon closing of the transaction. In connection with the acquisition, the Company granted REA Group a put option to require the Company to purchase REA Group’s interest in Move, which can be exercised at any time beginning two years from the date of acquisition at fair value.

Under the purchase method of accounting, the total consideration transferred is allocated to net tangible and intangible assets based upon the fair value as of the date of completion of the acquisition. The excess of the total consideration transferred over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The allocation is as follows (in millions):

 

Assets acquired:

  

Cash

   $ 108   

Other current assets

     28   

Intangible assets

     216   

Deferred income taxes

     153   

Goodwill

     552   

Other non-current assets

     69   
  

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

   $ 1,126   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities assumed:

  

Current liabilities

   $ 50   

Deferred income taxes

     52   

Borrowings

     129   

Other non-current liabilities

     3   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

     234   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   $ 892   
  

 

 

 

 

100


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The acquired intangible assets relate to the license of the realtor.com® trademark, which has a fair value of approximately $116 million and an indefinite life, and customer relationships, other tradenames and certain multiple listing service agreements with an aggregate fair value of approximately $100 million, which are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of approximately 15 years. The Company also acquired technology, primarily associated with the realtor.com® website, that has a fair value of approximately $39 million, which is being amortized over 4 years. The acquired technology has been recorded in Property, Plant and Equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the date of acquisition.

Move had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of $947 million ($332 million tax-effected) at the date of acquisition. The NOLs are subject to limitations as promulgated under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Section 382 of the Code limits the amount of acquired NOLs that we can use on an annual basis to offset future U.S. consolidated taxable income. Valuation allowances and unrecognized tax benefits were recorded against these NOLs in the amount of $484 million ($170 million tax-effected) as part of the purchase price allocation. Accordingly, the Company expected approximately $463 million of NOLs could be utilized, and recorded a net deferred tax asset of $162 million as part of the purchase price allocation. As a result of management’s plan to dispose of its digital education business, the Company increased its estimated utilization of Move’s NOLs by $167 million ($58 million tax-effected) and released valuation allowances equal to that amount. Upon filing its fiscal 2015 federal income tax return, the Company reduced Move’s NOLs by $298 million which represents the amount expected to expire unutilized due to the Section 382 limitation discussed above. As of June 30, 2016, the remaining Move NOLs expected to be utilized are $573 million ($201 million tax-effected). The utilization of these NOLs is dependent on generating sufficient U.S. taxable income prior to expiration which begins in varying amounts starting in 2021. The deferred tax assets established for Move’s NOLs, net of valuation allowance and unrecognized tax benefits, are included in Non-current deferred tax assets on the Balance Sheets.

Fiscal 2014

In September 2013, the Company sold the Dow Jones Local Media Group (“LMG”), which operated eight daily and fifteen weekly newspapers in seven states. The gain recognized on the sale of LMG was not significant as the carrying value of the assets held for sale on the date of sale approximated the proceeds received. The net income, assets, liabilities and cash flows attributable to the LMG operations were not material to the Company in any of the periods presented and, accordingly, have not been presented separately.

In December 2013, the Company acquired Storyful, a social media content agency, for approximately $25 million, of which $19 million was paid in cash, with the remainder primarily related to an earn-out that was contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. The Storyful acquisition complements the Company’s existing video capabilities, including the creation and distribution of original and on-demand programming such as WSJ Live and BallBall. Storyful’s results are included within the News and Information Services segment.

NOTE 4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, management approved a plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business. As a result of the plan and the discontinuation of further significant business activities in the Digital Education segment, the assets and liabilities of this segment were classified as held for sale and the results of operations have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in accordance with ASC 205-20, “Discontinued Operations.”

In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $76 million reflecting a write down of the digital education business to its fair value less costs to sell. The Company

 

101


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

completed the sale of the Amplify Insight and Amplify Learning businesses on September 30, 2015 and incurred approximately $17 million in severance and lease termination costs in conjunction with the sale. These amounts are included in Loss before income tax benefit in the table below for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. Additionally, during the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $144 million upon reclassification of the Digital Education segment to discontinued operations. This amount is included in Income tax benefit in the table below for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, as part of the Company’s long-range planning process, the Company changed its strategy and related outlook with respect to the Amplify reporting unit which resulted in a reduction in expected future cash flows for the business. As a result, the Company determined that the fair value of this reporting unit declined below its carrying value and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $371 million, with no associated tax impact, in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. The charge primarily consisted of a write-down of the Company’s goodwill of $325 million and a write-down of capitalized software development costs of $45 million. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were discount rates (ranging from 12%-45%) and long-term growth rates (ranging from 0%-4%). The impairment charges are included in Loss before income tax benefit in the table below for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.

The following table summarizes the results of operations from the discontinued segment:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Revenues

   $ 27      $ 109      $ 88   

Loss before income tax benefit

     (159     (496     (219

Income tax benefit

     174        51        77   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ 15      $ (445   $ (142
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the cash flows from discontinued operations:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (74   $ (157   $ (175

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     13        (70     (21

Net cash used in financing activities

     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (61   $ (227   $ (196
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assets and liabilities held for sale related to discontinued operations as of June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 are included in Other current liabilities and Other current assets, respectively, in the Balance Sheets as follows:

 

     As of
June 30, 2016
    As of
June 30, 2015
 
     (in millions)  

Current assets

   $ 1      $ 54   

Non-current assets

     —          100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1      $ 154   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

     7        46   

Non-current liabilities

     —          16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 7      $ 62   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (liabilities) assets held for sale

   $ (6   $ 92   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

102


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 5. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS

The Company recorded restructuring charges of $89 million, $84 million and $79 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of which $79 million, $75 million and $67 million related to the News and Information Services segment, respectively. The restructuring charges recorded in fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014 were primarily for employee termination benefits.

Changes in the restructuring program liabilities were as follows:

 

     One time
employee
termination
benefits
    Facility
related costs
    Other costs     Total  
     (in millions)  

Balance, June 30, 2013

   $ 51      $ 6      $ 2      $ 59   

Additions

     69        8        2        79   

Payments

     (101     (5     (1     (107

Other

     2        (2     (3     (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2014

   $ 21      $ 7      $   —        $ 28   

Additions

     74        1        9        84   

Payments

     (46     (3     (3     (52

Other

     (2     —          —          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2015

   $ 47      $ 5      $ 6      $ 58   

Additions

     86        1        2        89   

Payments

     (95     (1     —          (96

Other

     (5     —          (2     (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2016

   $ 33      $ 5      $ 6      $ 44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016, restructuring liabilities of approximately $34 million were included in the Balance Sheet in Other current liabilities and $10 million were included in Other non-current liabilities.

NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS

The Company’s investments were comprised of the following:

 

     Ownership
Percentage as of

June 30, 2016
   

 

As of June 30,

 
       2016      2015  
           (in millions)  

Equity method investments:

       

Foxtel(a)

     50   $ 1,437       $ 1,476   

Other equity method investments(b)

     various        101         168   

Loan receivable from Foxtel(c)

     N/A        338         345   

Available-for-sale securities(d)

     various        189         185   

Cost method investments(e)

     various        205         205   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

     $ 2,270       $ 2,379   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The change in the Foxtel investment for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company received dividends from Foxtel of $26 million and $107 million, respectively.

 

103


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company’s investment in Foxtel exceeded its equity in the underlying net assets by approximately $1.5 billion as of June 30, 2016. This amount represented the excess cost over the Company’s proportionate share of its investment’s underlying net assets. This has been allocated between finite-lived intangible assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill. The finite-lived intangible assets of approximately $0.5 billion primarily represent subscriber relationships with a weighted average remaining useful life of 7 years.

(b)

Other equity method investments as of June 30, 2015 primarily included REA Group’s investment in iProperty. In July 2014, REA Group purchased a 17.22% interest in iProperty for total cash consideration of approximately $100 million. In December 2014, REA Group sold Squarefoot, its Hong Kong based business, to iProperty in exchange for an additional 2.2% interest in iProperty. As of June 30, 2015, REA Group owned an approximate 19.9% interest in iProperty and increased its ownership percentage to an approximate 22.7% interest in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. In February 2016, REA Group increased its ownership interest in iProperty to approximately 86.9% for A$482 million (approximately $340 million) and from then its results are consolidated within the Digital Real Estate Services segment. (See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions).

(c)

In May 2012, Foxtel purchased Austar United Communications Ltd. The transaction was funded by Foxtel bank debt and Foxtel’s shareholders made pro rata capital contributions in the form of subordinated shareholder notes based on their respective ownership interests. The Company’s share of the subordinated shareholder notes was approximately A$451 million ($338 million and $345 million as of June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively). The subordinated shareholder notes can be repaid beginning in July 2022 provided that Foxtel’s senior debt has been repaid. The subordinated shareholder notes have a maturity date of July 15, 2027, with interest payable on June 30 each year and at maturity. On June 22, 2016, Foxtel and Foxtel’s shareholders agreed to modify the terms of the loan receivable to reduce the interest rate from 12% to 10.5%, to more closely align with current market rates. Foxtel paid interest at a rate of 10.5% for fiscal 2016. Upon maturity, the principal advanced will be repayable.

(d)

Available-for-sale securities primarily include the Company’s investments in The Rubicon Project, Inc. and APN. During fiscal 2015, the Company purchased a 14.99% interest in APN for approximately $112 million. During fiscal 2016, the Company participated in an entitlement offer to maintain its 14.99% interest for $20 million. APN operates a portfolio of Australian radio and outdoor media assets.

(e)

Cost method investments primarily include the Company’s investment in SEEKAsia Limited (“SEEK Asia”) and certain investments in China. In November 2014, SEEK Asia, in which the Company owned a 12.1% interest, acquired the online employment businesses of JobStreet Corporation Berhad (“JobStreet”), which were combined with JobsDB, Inc., SEEK Asia’s existing online employment business. The transaction was funded primarily through additional contributions by SEEK Asia shareholders which did not have an impact on the Company’s ownership. The Company’s share of the funding contribution was approximately $60 million. In June 2015, the Company purchased an additional 0.8% interest in SEEK Asia for approximately $7 million, which increased the Company’s investment to approximately 12.9%. In June 2016, the Company’s interest in SEEK Asia increased to approximately 13.75% as a result of the repurchase and cancellation of shares owned by certain other shareholders.

 

104


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company measures the fair market values of available-for-sale investments as Level 1 financial instruments under ASC 820 as such investments have quoted prices in active markets. The cost basis, unrealized gains, unrealized losses and fair market value of available-for-sale investments are set forth below:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Cost basis of available-for-sale investments

   $ 155       $ 164   

Accumulated gross unrealized gain

     34         46   

Accumulated gross unrealized loss

     —           (25
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of available-for-sale investments

   $ 189       $ 185   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liability

   $ 13       $ 11   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Earnings of Affiliates

The Company’s share of the earnings of its equity affiliates was as follows:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Foxtel(a)

   $ 38      $ 59      $ 90   

Other equity affiliates, net

     (8     (1     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity earnings of affiliates

   $ 30      $ 58      $ 90   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

In accordance with ASC 350, the Company amortized $52 million, $57 million and $62 million related to excess cost over the Company’s proportionate share of its investment’s underlying net assets allocated to finite-lived intangible assets during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such amortization is reflected in Equity earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations.

Impairments of investments

The Company regularly reviews its investments for impairments based on criteria that include the extent to which the investment’s carrying value exceeds its related market value, the duration of the market decline, the Company’s ability to hold its investment until recovery and the investment’s financial strength and specific prospects. The Company recorded write-offs and impairments of certain investments in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 of $21 million, $5 million and $10 million, respectively. These write-offs and impairments were reflected in Other, net in the Statements of Operations and were taken either as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the investee or due to an other-than-temporary impairment resulting from sustained losses and limited prospects for recovery. Of the $21 million in write-offs and impairments recognized in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 , approximately $17 million was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and included in Other, net in the Statement of Operations.

 

105


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Summarized Financial Information

Summarized financial information for Foxtel, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, was as follows:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016              2015              2014      
     (in millions)  

Revenues

   $ 2,379       $ 2,658       $ 2,897   

Operating income(a)

     373         441         554   

Net income

     180         232         304   

 

(a)

Includes Depreciation and amortization of $231 million, $319 million and $349 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Operating income before depreciation and amortization was $604 million, $760 million and $903 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Current assets

   $ 605       $ 458   

Non-current assets

     2,470         2,506   

Current liabilities

     764         731   

Non-current liabilities

     2,534         2,544   

NOTE 7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

     Useful
Lives
     As of June 30,  
        2016     2015  
            (in millions)  

Land

      $ 153      $ 161   

Buildings and leaseholds

     3 to 50 years         1,793        1,925   

Machinery and equipment(a)

     3 to 40 years         2,872        2,972   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        4,818        5,058   

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(b)

        (2,524     (2,493
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        2,294        2,565   

Construction in progress(a)

        111        125   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Property, plant and equipment, net

      $ 2,405      $ 2,690   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Includes capitalized software of approximately $950 million and $898 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

(b)

Includes accumulated amortization of capitalized software of approximately $498 million and $447 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization related to property, plant and equipment was $415 million, $407 million and $470 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. This includes amortization of capitalized software of $194 million, $169 million and $136 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Total operating lease expense was approximately $164 million, $195 million and $187 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

106


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying values of the Company’s intangible assets and related accumulated amortization for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 were as follows:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization

     

Newspaper Mastheads

   $ 307       $ 308   

Distribution Networks

     391         392   

Imprints

     245         266   

Trademarks and tradenames

     191         120   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intangible assets not subject to amortization

     1,134         1,086   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

     

Channel Distribution Agreements(a)

     342         366   

Publishing Rights(b)

     365         389   

Customer Relationships(c)

     336         336   

Other(d)

     30         26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intangible assets subject to amortization, net

     1,073         1,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Intangible assets, net

   $   2,207       $   2,203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Net of accumulated amortization of $58 million and $43 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The average useful life of the channel distribution agreements is 25 years primarily based on the period that a majority of the future cash flows from these intangibles will be generated.

(b)

Net of accumulated amortization of $150 million and $122 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The average useful life of publishing rights is 4 to 30 years primarily based on the weighted-average remaining contractual terms of the underlying publishing contracts and the Company’s estimates of the period within those terms that the asset is expected to generate a majority of its future cash flows.

(c)

Net of accumulated amortization of $363 million and $340 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The average useful life of customer relationships ranges from 2 to 25 years. The useful lives of these assets are estimated by applying historical attrition rates and determining the resulting period over which a majority of the accumulated undiscounted cash flows related to the customer relationships are expected to be generated. The useful lives represent the periods over which these intangible assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Company’s future cash flows.

(d)

Net of accumulated amortization of $69 million and $50 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The average useful life of other intangible assets ranges from 2 to 15 years. The useful lives represent the periods over which these intangible assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Company’s future cash flows.

Amortization related to amortizable intangible assets was $91 million, $90 million and $83 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Based on the current amount of amortizable intangible assets, the estimated amortization expense for each of the succeeding five fiscal years is as follows: 2017—$93 million; 2018—$89 million; 2019—$77 million; 2020—$67 million; and 2021—$60 million. These amounts may vary as acquisitions and disposals occur in the future and as purchase price allocations are finalized.

 

107


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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

 

     News and
Information
Services
    Book
Publishing
    Digital Real
Estate Services
    Cable Network
Programming
    Other      Total
Goodwill
 
     (in millions)  

Balance, June 30, 2014

   $ 1,701      $ 71      $ 86      $ 599      $   —         $ 2,457   

Acquisitions

     —          191        566        —          4         761   

Foreign currency movements

     (5     (21     (16     (113     —           (155
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2015

   $ 1,696      $ 241      $ 636      $ 486      $ 4       $ 3,063   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Acquisitions

     80        31        545        —          —           656   

Foreign currency movements

     (11     (12     28        (10     —           (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2016

   $ 1,765      $ 260      $ 1,209      $ 476      $ 4       $ 3,714   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The carrying amount of goodwill as of June 30, 2016 reflected accumulated impairments, principally relating to the News and Information Services segment, of $3.4 billion.

Annual Impairment Assessments

Fiscal 2016

In accordance with ASC 350, the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually in the fourth quarter for impairment or earlier if events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. (See Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies).

The performance of the Company’s annual impairment analysis did not result in any impairments of goodwill in fiscal 2016. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were discount rates (ranging from 9%-14.5%), long-term growth rates (ranging from 0%-3.5%) and royalty rates (ranging from 0.5%-3.4%). Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the market approach valuation method were EBITDA multiples from guideline public companies operating in similar industries and control premiums (ranging from 10%-15%). Significant increases (decreases) in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, assuming no change in discount rates, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant decreases (increases) in discount rates, assuming no changes in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

Fiscal 2015

The performance of the Company’s annual impairment analysis did not result in any impairments of goodwill in fiscal 2015. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were discount rates (ranging from 9%-14%), long-term growth rates (ranging from 0%-3%) and royalty rates (ranging from 0.5%-3.3%). Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the market approach valuation method were EBITDA multiples from guideline public companies operating in similar industries and control premiums (ranging from 10%-15%). Significant increases (decreases) in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, assuming no change in discount rates, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant decreases (increases) in discount rates, assuming no changes in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

 

108


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Fiscal 2014

The performance of the Company’s annual impairment analysis did not result in any impairments of goodwill in fiscal 2014. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were discount rates (ranging from 9.0%-14.0%), long-term growth rates (ranging from 0.0%-4.0%) and royalty rates (ranging from 0.5%-2.8%). Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the market approach valuation method were EBITDA multiples from guideline public companies operating in similar industries and control premiums (ranging from 10%-15%). Significant increases (decreases) in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, assuming no change in discount rates, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant decreases (increases) in discount rates, assuming no changes in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

NOTE 9. BORROWINGS

The Company’s total borrowings consist of the following:

 

     As of
June 30, 2016
    As of
June 30, 2015
 
     (in millions)  

Facility due December 2017

   $ 90      $   —     

Facility due December 2018

     90        —     

Facility due December 2019

     179        —     

Other obligations

     13        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     372        —     

Less: Current portion

     (3     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   $   369      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

REA Group Unsecured Revolving Loan Facility

REA Group entered into a A$480 million unsecured syndicated revolving loan facility agreement in connection with the acquisition of iProperty. The REA Facility consists of three sub facilities of A$120 million, A$120 million and A$240 million which become due in December 2017, December 2018 and December 2019, respectively. In February 2016, REA Group drew down the full A$480 million (approximately $340 million as of such date) available under the REA Facility, and the proceeds, less lenders’ fees of $1 million, were used to fund the iProperty acquisition. Borrowings under the REA Facility bear interest at a floating rate of the Australian BBSY plus a margin in the range of 0.85% and 1.45% depending on REA Group’s net leverage ratio. As of June 30, 2016, REA Group was paying a margin of between 1.00% and 1.20%. REA Group paid approximately $4 million in interest for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 at a weighted average interest rate of 3.2%. The REA Facility requires REA Group to maintain a net leverage ratio of not more than 3.25 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. As of June 30, 2016, REA Group was in compliance with all of the applicable debt covenants.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company’s Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) provides for an unsecured $650 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) that can be used for general corporate purposes. The Facility has a sublimit of $100 million available for issuances of letters of credit. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company may request increases in the amount of the Facility up to a maximum amount of $900 million.

 

109


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In October 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) which, among other things, extended the original term of the Facility by two years and lowered the commitment fee payable by the Company. As a result of the Amendment, the lenders’ commitments now terminate on October 23, 2020, and any borrowings will be due at that time. The Company may request that the commitments be extended under certain circumstances as set forth in the Credit Agreement for up to two additional one-year periods.

The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, with customary exceptions, including limitations on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to engage in transactions with affiliates, incur liens, merge into or consolidate with any other entity, incur subsidiary debt or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or all or substantially all of the stock of its subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain an adjusted operating income leverage ratio of not more than 3.0 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. If any of the events of default occur and are not cured within applicable grace periods or waived, any unpaid amounts under the Credit Agreement may be declared immediately due and payable. As of June 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of the applicable debt covenants.

Interest on borrowings under the Facility is based on either (a) a Eurodollar Rate formula or (b) the Base Rate formula, each as set forth in the Credit Agreement. The applicable margin and the commitment fee are based on the pricing grid in the Credit Agreement, which varies based on the Company’s adjusted operating income leverage ratio. As of June 30, 2016, the Company was paying a commitment fee of 0.225% on any undrawn balance and an applicable margin of 0.50% for a Base Rate borrowing and 1.50% for a Eurodollar Rate borrowing.

As of the date of this filing, the Company has not borrowed any funds under the Facility.

Total borrowings, excluding other obligations and debt issuance costs, have the following scheduled maturities for each of the next five fiscal years:

 

     As of
June 30, 2016
 
     (in millions)  

Fiscal 2017

   $  —     

Fiscal 2018

     90   

Fiscal 2019

     90   

Fiscal 2020

     180   

Fiscal 2021

     —     

Thereafter

     —     

NOTE 10. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

In connection with the Company’s separation of its businesses (the “Separation”) from Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (“21st Century Fox”) on June 28, 2013 (the “Distribution Date”), 21st Century Fox sold 4,000 shares of cumulative redeemable preferred stock with a par value of $5,000 per share of a newly formed U.S. subsidiary of the Company. The preferred stock pays dividends at a rate of 9.5% per annum, payable quarterly, in arrears. The preferred stock is callable by the Company at any time after the fifth year and is puttable at the option of the holder after 10 years. As of June 30, 2016 and 2015, $20 million was included in Redeemable preferred stock on the Balance Sheets.

 

110


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Authorized Capital Stock

The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 1,500,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 750,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 25,000,000 shares of Series Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Common Stock

Shares Outstanding—Following the Separation, the Company had approximately 379 million shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding at a par value of $0.01 per share and 200 million shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding at a par value of $0.01 per share. As of June 30, 2016, the Company had approximately 380 million shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding at a par value of $0.01 per share and approximately 200 million shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding at a par value of $0.01 per share.

Dividends— Dividends declared and paid per share on both the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock totaled $0.20 for fiscal 2016. No dividends were declared or paid in fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014. The timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to stockholders, if any, is within the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”). The Board of Directors’ decisions regarding the payment of future dividends will depend on many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Voting Rights—Holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock are entitled to vote only in the limited circumstances set forth in the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

Liquidation Rights—In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by Class A Common Stock holders and Class B Common Stock holders, respectively. In the event of any merger or consolidation with or into another entity, the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall generally be entitled to receive substantially identical per share consideration.

Stock Repurchases

In May 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500 million of its Class A Common Stock. On May 10, 2015, the Company announced it had begun repurchasing shares of Class A Common Stock under the stock repurchase program. Through August 5, 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 5.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $71 million. The remaining authorized amount under the stock repurchase program as of August 5, 2016 was approximately $429 million. All decisions regarding any future stock repurchases are at the sole discretion of a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors and management. The committee’s decisions regarding future stock repurchases will be evaluated from time to time in light of many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other

 

111


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the committee may deem relevant. The stock repurchase authorization may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors cannot provide any assurances that any additional shares will be repurchased. The total number and value of shares repurchased for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016      2015      2014  
     (in millions)  

Total cost of repurchases

   $ 39       $ 32         —     

Total number of shares repurchased

     3.1         2.1         —     

Stockholder Rights Agreement

During fiscal 2015, the Board of Directors adopted the second amended and restated rights agreement, which is referred to below as the “rights agreement.” Under the rights agreement, each outstanding share of common stock of the Company has attached to it one right. Initially, the rights are represented by the common stock of the Company, are not traded separately from the common stock and are not exercisable. The rights, unless redeemed or exchanged, will become exercisable for common stock of the Company 10 business days after public announcement that a person or group has obtained beneficial ownership (defined to include stock which a person has the right to acquire, regardless of whether such right is subject to the passage of time or the satisfaction of conditions), including by means of a tender offer, of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. Following such acquisition of beneficial ownership, each right will entitle its holder (other than the acquiring person or group) to purchase, at the exercise price (subject to adjustments provided in the rights agreement), a number of shares of the Company’s Class A or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, having a then-current market value of twice the exercise price, and in the event of a subsequent merger or other acquisition of the Company or transfer of 50% or more of the Company, to purchase, at the exercise price, a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring entity having a then-current market value of twice the exercise price. The exercise price for the Company rights will be $90.00, subject to certain adjustments.

The rights will not become exercisable by virtue of (i) any person’s or group’s beneficial ownership, as of the Distribution Date, of 15% or more of the Class B Common Stock of the Company, unless such person or group acquires beneficial ownership of additional shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock after June 18, 2015; (ii) the repurchase of the Company’s shares that causes a holder to become the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, unless such holder acquires beneficial ownership of additional shares representing one percent or more of the Company’s Class B Common Stock; (iii) acquisitions by way of a pro rata stock dividend or a stock split; (iv) acquisitions solely as a result of any unilateral grant of any security by the Company or through the exercise of any options, warrants, rights or similar interests (including restricted stock) granted by the Company to its directors, officers and employees pursuant to any equity incentive or award plan; or (v) certain acquisitions determined by the Board of Directors to be inadvertent, provided, that following such acquisition, the acquirer promptly, but in any case within 10 business days, divests a sufficient number of shares so that such person would no longer otherwise qualify as an acquiring person.

The rights will expire on June 18, 2018, unless the rights agreement is earlier terminated or such date is advanced or extended by the Company, or the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company.

NOTE 12. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

Employees of the Company participate in the News Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 LTIP”) under which equity-based compensation, including stock options, performance stock units (“PSUs”),

 

112


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

restricted stock awards, RSUs and other types of awards can be granted. The Company has the ability to award up to 30 million shares of Class A Common Stock under the terms of the 2013 LTIP in addition to awards assumed in connection with the Separation and with acquisitions.

In connection with the acquisition of Move in November 2014, the Company assumed Move’s equity incentive plans and substantially all of the awards outstanding under such plans. The stock options, RSUs and restricted stock awards that were assumed continue to have the same terms and conditions that applied to those awards immediately prior to the acquisition, except that such assumed awards were converted into awards with the right to be settled in, or by reference to, the Company’s Class A Common Stock in accordance with the acquisition agreement, using a formula designed to preserve the value of the awards based on the price per share paid in the acquisition. The Company assumed and converted approximately 4.3 million stock options and approximately 2.5 million RSUs and restricted stock awards in connection with the transaction.

The following table summarizes the Company’s equity-based compensation expense from continuing operations reported in the Statements of Operations:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016      2015      2014  
     (in millions)  

Total Equity compensation expense

   $ 55       $ 53       $ 32   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised

   $ 3       $ 24       $ 2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016, total compensation cost not yet recognized for all plans presented related to unvested awards held by the Company’s employees was approximately $53 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of between one and two years.

The tax benefit recognized on PSUs and RSUs for the Company’s employees that vested, and stock options that were exercised by the Company’s employees, during the applicable fiscal year was $11 million, $17 million and $8 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Summary of Incentive Plans

The fair value of equity-based compensation granted under the 2013 LTIP is calculated according to the type of award issued. Cash settled awards are marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period.

Performance Stock Units

PSU awards are grants that entitle the holder to shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock or the cash equivalent value of such shares based on the achievement of pre-established performance metrics over the applicable performance period. PSUs are fair valued on the date of grant and expensed using a straight-line method as the awards cliff vest at the end of the three-year performance period. The number of PSUs that will vest can range from 0% to 200% of the target award and will be based on the achievement of the performance condition and the Company’s three-year total shareholder return (“TSR”). The expense recorded for the portion of the award that is subject to the performance condition is based on management’s determination of the probable outcome of the performance condition and the corresponding number of shares expected to vest. The Company records a cumulative expense adjustment in periods in which its estimate of the number of shares expected to vest changes. Additionally, the expense recognized is ultimately adjusted to reflect the actual number of shares that vested based on the achievement of the performance condition. The number of awards which vest is also

 

113


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

impacted by the Company’s 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. Any person who holds PSUs shall have no ownership interest in the shares or cash to which such PSUs relate unless and until the shares or cash are delivered to the holder. All shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for cancelled or forfeited equity-based compensation awards become available for future grants.

In the first quarters of fiscal 2016 and 2015, certain employees of the Company each received a grant of PSUs that has a three-year performance measurement period beginning on July 1, 2015 and July 1, 2014, respectively. Vesting of the awards is subject to the achievement of the performance condition, consisting of pre-defined targets for cumulative earnings per share and cumulative free cash flow for the applicable performance period, as well as the TSR condition. The majority of these awards will be settled in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock subject to the achievement of the relevant performance metrics and participants’ continued employment with the Company.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, certain employees of the Company each received a grant of PSUs that has a three-year performance measurement period beginning on July 1, 2013. Vesting of the awards is subject to the achievement of the performance condition, consisting of pre-defined targets for cumulative earnings per share and consolidated free cash flow growth for the applicable performance period, as well as the TSR condition. The majority of these awards will be settled in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock subject to the achievement of the relevant performance metrics and participants’ continued employment with the Company.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, a total of 4.2 million, 3.4 million and 4.3 million target PSUs were granted to the Company’s employees, respectively, of which 3.0 million, 2.3 million and 2.7 million, respectively, will be settled in Class A Common Stock of the Company, with the remaining, having been granted to executive directors and to employees in certain foreign locations, being settled in cash.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, approximately 1.2 million, 2.0 million and nil PSUs vested, respectively, of which approximately 0.2 million, 0.5 million and nil PSUs, respectively, were settled in cash for approximately $3.3 million, $8.2 million and nil before statutory tax withholdings, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

RSU awards are grants that entitle the holder to shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock or the cash equivalent value of such shares based on the share price on the expected vesting date. The fair value of RSUs issued under the 2013 LTIP is based upon the fair market value of the shares underlying the awards on the grant date. Any person who holds RSUs shall have no ownership interest in the shares or cash to which such RSUs relate unless and until shares or cash are delivered to the holder.

During fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, certain employees of the Company each received a grant of time-vested RSUs. Vesting of the awards is subject to the participants’ continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 0.3 million, 0.5 million and 0.2 million RSUs were granted to the Company’s employees, respectively, which primarily vest over three to four years.

 

114


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table summarizes the activity from continuing and discontinued operations related to the target PSUs and RSUs granted to the Company’s employees which will be settled in shares of the Company (PSUs and RSUs in thousands):

 

     Fiscal 2016      Fiscal 2015      Fiscal 2014  
     Number
of
shares
    Weighted
average
grant-
date fair
value
     Number
of
shares
    Weighted
average
grant-
date fair
value
     Number
of
shares
    Weighted
average
grant-
date fair
value
 

PSUs and RSUs

              

Unvested units at beginning of the year

     8,355      $ 16.77         7,222      $ 13.00         5,557      $ 9.46   

Granted(a)

     3,472        15.51         2,975        17.29         2,924        19.06   

RSUs assumed in acquisition(b)

     —          —           2,491        15.20         —          —     

Vested(c)

     (1,913     13.56         (3,131     10.19         (24     10.70   

Cancelled(d)

     (2,141     15.76         (1,202     11.36         (1,235     11.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unvested units at the end of the year(e)

     7,773      $ 17.34         8,355      $ 16.77         7,222      $ 13.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

For fiscal 2016, includes 3.0 million target PSUs and 0.3 million RSUs granted and a payout adjustment of 0.2 million PSUs due to the actual performance level achieved for PSUs granted in fiscal 2013 that vested during fiscal 2016.

For fiscal 2015, includes 2.3 million target PSUs and 0.5 million RSUs granted and a payout adjustment of 0.2 million PSUs due to the actual performance level achieved for PSUs granted in fiscal 2012 that vested during fiscal 2015.

 

(b)

Represents RSUs assumed in the Move acquisition. The weighted average grant date fair value for the assumed awards was calculated using the fair value of the awards at the acquisition date.

(c)

The fair value of PSUs and RSUs held by the Company’s employees that vested during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $26 million, $32 million, and nil, respectively.

(d)

For fiscal 2016, includes 0.8 million of target PSUs and 0.3 million RSUs cancelled and a payout adjustment of 1.0 million PSUs due to the actual performance level achieved for PSUs granted in fiscal 2013 that vested during fiscal 2016.

For fiscal 2015, includes 0.3 million of target PSUs and 0.3 million RSUs cancelled during fiscal 2015 and a payout adjustment of 0.6 million PSUs due to the actual performance level achieved for PSUs granted in fiscal 2012 that vested during fiscal 2015.

 

(e)

The intrinsic value of these unvested RSUs and target PSUs was approximately $89 million as of June 30, 2016.

 

115


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information about stock option transactions for the employee stock option plans (options in thousands):

 

     Fiscal 2016      Fiscal 2015      Fiscal 2014  
     Options     Weighted
average
exercise
price
     Options     Weighted
average
exercise
price
     Options     Weighted
average
exercise
price
 
           (in US$)            (in US$)            (in US$)  

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

     2,008      $ 8.82         263      $ 6.25         463      $ 5.88   

Options assumed in acquisition(a)

     —          —           4,336        7.46         —          —     

Exercised

     (508     7.34         (2,521     6.22         (200     5.39   

Cancelled

     (262     10.75         (70     8.37         —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at the end of the year(b)

     1,238      $ 9.03         2,008      $ 8.82         263      $ 6.25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exercisable at the end of the year(c)

     945           1,117           263     

 

(a)

Represents options assumed in the Move acquisition. The weighted average exercise price for the assumed options was calculated using the converted exercise price at the acquisition date. The converted exercise price was calculated using a formula designed to preserve the value of the awards based on the price per share paid in the acquisition.

(b)

The intrinsic value of options outstanding held by the Company’s employees as of June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $3 million, $12.8 million and $3.1 million, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding as of June 30, 2016 was 4.74 years.

(c)

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable as of June 30, 2016 was 3.94 years.

 

116


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 13. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under ASC 260, “Earnings per Share”:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
           2016                 2015                 2014        
     (in millions, except per share amounts)  

Income from continuing operations

   $ 235      $ 367      $ 436   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (71     (69     (55

Less: Redeemable preferred stock dividends(a)

     (2     (2     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations available to News Corporation stockholders

     162        296        379   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, available to News Corporation stockholders

     15        (445     (142
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders

   $ 177      $ (149   $ 237   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding—basic

     580.6        581.0        579.0   

Dilutive effect of equity awards

     1.9        1.6        0.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding—diluted

     582.5        582.6        579.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ 0.28      $ 0.51      $ 0.65   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ 0.02      $ (0.77   $ (0.24
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ 0.30      $ (0.26   $ 0.41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 10Redeemable Preferred Stock

NOTE 14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into transactions with related parties, such as equity affiliates, to sell certain broadcast rights and purchase and/or sell advertising and administrative services. The following table sets forth the net revenue from related parties included in the Statements of Operations:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
           2016                  2015                  2014        
     (in millions)  

Related party revenue, net of expense

   $ 319       $ 281       $ 305   

The following table sets forth the amount of receivables due from and payable to related parties outstanding on the Balance Sheets:

 

     As of June 30,  
           2016                  2015        
     (in millions)  

Accounts receivable from related parties

   $ 86       $ 72   

Notes receivable from related parties

     338         345   

Accounts payable to related parties

     31         10   

 

117


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 15. 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 following table summarizes the Company’s material firm commitments as of June 30, 2016:

 

     As of June 30, 2016  
     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      1 year      2-3
years
     4-5
years
     After 5
years
 
     (in millions)  

Purchase obligations(a)

   $ 787       $ 339       $ 183       $ 99       $ 166   

Sports programming rights(b)

     1,184         158         379         388         259   

Operating leases(c)

              

Land and buildings

     1,436         129         274         207         826   

Plant and machinery

     4         2         2         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commitments and contractual obligations

   $ 3,411       $ 628       $ 838       $ 694       $ 1,251   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The Company has commitments under purchase obligations related to printing contracts, capital projects, marketing agreements and other legally binding commitments.

(b)

The Company has sports programming rights commitments with the National Rugby League, Australian Rugby Union and International Cricket as well as certain other broadcast rights which are payable through fiscal 2023. In November 2015, the Company entered into a sports programming rights agreement with the National Rugby League to license certain media rights for a five year period from 2018 to 2022 for approximately $775 million (A$1.1 billion). In August 2015, the Company entered into a sports programming rights agreement with the Australian Football League to license certain media rights for a six year period from 2017 to 2022 for approximately $850 million (A$1.2 billion). The sports programming rights for the Australian Football League were novated to Foxtel in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and are not included in the table above.

(c)

The Company leases office facilities, warehouse facilities, printing plants and equipment. These leases, which are classified as operating leases, are expected to be paid at certain dates through fiscal 2062. This amount includes approximately $250 million for office facilities that have been subleased from 21st Century Fox.

The Company has certain contracts to purchase newsprint, ink and plates that require the Company to purchase a percentage of its total requirements for production. Since the quantities purchased annually under these contracts are not fixed and are based on the Company’s total requirements, the amount of the related payments for these purchases is excluded from the table above.

In accordance with ASC 715, the net liability for pension and other postretirement benefit plans recognized as of June 30, 2016 was approximately $356 million (See Note 16—Retirement Benefit Obligations). This amount is affected by, among other items, statutory funding levels, changes in plan demographics and assumptions and investment returns on plan assets. Because of the current overall funded status of the Company’s material plans, the accrued liability does not represent expected near-term liquidity needs and, accordingly, this amount is not included in the contractual obligations table.

 

118


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Contingencies

The Company routinely is involved in various legal proceedings, claims and governmental inspections or investigations, including those discussed below. The outcome of these matters and claims is subject to significant uncertainty, and the Company often cannot predict what the eventual outcome of pending matters will be or the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters. Fees, expenses, fines, penalties, judgments or settlement costs which might be incurred by the Company in connection with the various proceedings could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

The Company establishes an accrued liability for legal claims when it 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. Legal fees associated with litigation and similar proceedings are expensed as incurred. Except as otherwise provided below, for the contingencies disclosed for which there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, the Company was unable to estimate the amount of loss or range of loss. The Company recognizes gain contingencies when the gain becomes realized or realizable.

U.K. Newspaper Matters and Related Investigations and Litigation

On July 19, 2011, a purported class action lawsuit captioned Wilder v. News Corp., et al. was filed on behalf of all purchasers of 21st Century Fox’s common stock between March 3, 2011 and July 11, 2011, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Wilder Litigation”). The plaintiff brought claims under Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, alleging that false and misleading statements were issued regarding alleged acts of voicemail interception at The News of the World. The suit named as defendants 21st Century Fox, Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks, and sought compensatory damages, rescission for damages sustained and costs.

On June 5, 2012, the District Court issued an order appointing the Avon Pension Fund (“Avon”) as lead plaintiff and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd as lead counsel. Avon filed an amended consolidated complaint on July 31, 2012, which among other things, added as defendants the Company’s subsidiary, NI Group Limited (now known as News Corp UK & Ireland Limited), and Les Hinton, and expanded the class period to comprise February 15, 2011 to July 18, 2011. Defendants filed motions to dismiss the litigation, which were granted by the District Court on March 31, 2014. Plaintiffs were allowed to amend their complaint, and on April 30, 2014, plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint, which generally repeated the allegations of the amended consolidated complaint and also expanded the class period to comprise July 8, 2009 to July 18, 2011. Defendants moved to dismiss the second amended consolidated complaint, and on September 30, 2015, the District Court granted defendants’ motions in their entirety and dismissed all of plaintiffs’ claims. In its memorandum, opinion and order relating to the dismissal, the District Court gave plaintiffs until November 6, 2015 to file a motion for leave to amend their complaint. On October 21, 2015, plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration of the District Court’s memorandum, opinion and order, which defendants have opposed. The Company’s management believes these claims are entirely without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action. As described below, the Company will be indemnified by 21st Century Fox for certain payments made by the Company that relate to, or arise from, the U.K. Newspaper Matters (as defined below), including all payments in connection with the Wilder Litigation.

In addition, civil claims have been brought against the Company with respect to, among other things, voicemail interception and inappropriate payments to public officials at the Company’s former publication, The News of the World, and at The Sun, and related matters (the “U.K. Newspaper Matters”). The Company has admitted liability in many civil cases and has settled a number of cases. The Company also settled a number of claims through a private compensation scheme which was closed to new claims after April 8, 2013.

 

119


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In connection with the Separation, the Company and 21st Century Fox agreed in the Separation and Distribution Agreement that 21st Century Fox would indemnify the Company for payments made after the Distribution Date arising out of civil claims and investigations relating to the U.K. Newspaper Matters as well as legal and professional fees and expenses paid in connection with the previously concluded criminal matters, other than fees, expenses and costs relating to employees (i) who are not directors, officers or certain designated employees or (ii) with respect to civil matters, who are not co-defendants with the Company or 21st Century Fox. 21st Century Fox’s indemnification obligations with respect to these matters will be settled on an after-tax basis.

The Company incurred gross legal and professional fees related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters and costs for civil settlements totaling approximately $42 million, $101 million and $169 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These costs are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Statements of Operations. With respect to the fees and costs incurred during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company has been or will be indemnified by 21st Century Fox for $23 million, net of tax, $51 million, net of tax and $97 million, net of tax, respectively, pursuant to the indemnification arrangements described above. Accordingly, the Company recorded a contra expense in Selling, general and administrative expenses for the after-tax costs that were or will be indemnified of $23 million, $51 million and $97 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and recorded a corresponding receivable from 21st Century Fox. Therefore, the net impact on Selling, general and administrative expenses was $19 million, $50 million and $72 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Refer to the table below for the net impact of the U.K. Newspaper Matters on Selling, general and administrative expenses recorded in the Statements of Operations:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
           2016                 2015                 2014        
     (in millions)  

Gross legal and professional fees related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters

   $ 42      $ 101      $ 169   

Indemnification from 21st Century Fox

     (23     (51     (97
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net impact on Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 19      $ 50      $ 72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2016, the Company has provided for its best estimate of the liability for the claims that have been filed and costs incurred, including liabilities associated with employment taxes, and has accrued approximately $99 million, of which approximately $55 million will be indemnified by 21st Century Fox, and a corresponding receivable was recorded in Other current assets on the Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2016. It is not possible to estimate the liability or corresponding receivable for any additional claims that may be filed given the information that is currently available to the Company. If more claims are filed and additional information becomes available, the Company will update the liability provision and corresponding receivable for such matters.

The Company is not able to predict the ultimate outcome or cost of the civil claims. It is possible that these proceedings and any adverse resolution thereof could damage its reputation, impair its ability to conduct its business and adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

News America Marketing

In-Store Marketing and FSI Purchasers

On April 8, 2014, in connection with a pending action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in which The Dial Corporation, Henkel Consumer Goods, Inc., H.J. Heinz Company, H.J. Heinz

 

120


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Company, L.P., Foster Poultry Farms, Smithfield Foods, Inc., HP Hood LLC and BEF Foods, Inc. (collectively, the “Named Plaintiffs”) alleged various claims under federal and state antitrust law against News Corporation, News America Incorporated (“NAI”), News America Marketing FSI L.L.C. (“NAM FSI”) and News America Marketing In-Store Services L.L.C. (“NAM In-Store Services” and, together with News Corporation, NAI and NAM FSI, the “NAM Group”), the Named Plaintiffs filed a fourth amended complaint on consent of the parties. The fourth amended complaint asserted federal and state antitrust claims both individually and on behalf of two putative classes in connection with the purchase of in-store marketing services and free-standing insert coupons. The complaint sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees.

On August 11, 2014, the Named Plaintiffs filed a motion seeking certification of a class of all persons residing in the United States who purchased in-store marketing services on or after April 5, 2008 and did not purchase those services pursuant to contracts with mandatory arbitration clauses. On June 18, 2015, the District Court granted the Named Plaintiffs’ motion, although it subsequently amended the start date of the claim period to April 26, 2009.

On September 10, 2015, the District Court granted a stipulation dismissing with prejudice the Named Plaintiffs’ claims relating to free-standing insert coupons. Trial began on February 29, 2016, and on such date, the parties agreed to settle the litigation. Under the terms of the settlement, which remains subject to District Court approval, the NAM Group agreed, among other things, to pay the plaintiffs and their attorneys approximately $250 million, and the parties agreed to dismiss the litigation with prejudice. The District Court has scheduled a final settlement approval hearing for September 21, 2016. The NAM Group also settled related claims for approximately $30 million. As a result, the Company recorded one-time costs of approximately $280 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 in NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net in the Company’s Statement of Operations.

Valassis Communications, Inc.

On November 8, 2013, Valassis Communications, Inc. (“Valassis”) initiated legal proceedings against certain of the Company’s subsidiaries alleging violations of various antitrust laws. These proceedings are described in further detail below.

 

   

Valassis previously initiated an action against NAI, NAM FSI and NAM In-Store Services (collectively, the “NAM Parties”), captioned Valassis Communications, Inc. v. News America Incorporated, et al., No. 2:06-cv-10240 (E.D. Mich.) (“Valassis I”), alleging violations of federal antitrust laws, which was settled in February 2010. On November 8, 2013, Valassis filed a motion for expedited discovery in the previously settled case based on its belief that defendants had engaged in activities prohibited under an order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in connection with the parties’ settlement, which motion was granted by the magistrate judge.

Valassis subsequently filed a Notice of Violation of an order issued by the District Court in Valassis I. The Notice contained allegations that were substantially similar to the allegations Valassis made in Valassis II, described below, and sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. The Notice also re-asserted claims of unlawful bundling and tying which the magistrate judge had previously recommended be dismissed from Valassis II on the grounds that such claims could only be brought before a panel of antitrust experts previously appointed in Valassis I (the “Antitrust Expert Panel”). On March 2, 2015, the NAM Parties filed a motion to refer the Notice to the Antitrust Expert Panel or, in the alternative, strike the Notice. The District Court granted the NAM Parties’ motion in part on March 30, 2016 and ordered that the Notice be referred to the Antitrust Expert Panel. The District Court further ordered that the case be administratively closed and that it may be re-opened following proceedings before the Antitrust Expert Panel.

 

121


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

   

On November 8, 2013, Valassis also filed a new complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against the NAM Group alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws and common law business torts (“Valassis II”). The complaint sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees and costs. On December 19, 2013, the NAM Group filed a motion to dismiss the newly filed complaint.

The District Court referred the NAM Group’s motion to dismiss to the magistrate judge for determination, and on July 16, 2014, the magistrate judge recommended that the District Court grant the NAM Group’s motion in part with respect to certain claims regarding alleged bundling and tying conduct and stay the remainder of the action. On March 30, 2016, the District Court adopted in part the magistrate judge’s recommendation. The District Court ordered that Valassis’s bundling and tying claims be dismissed without prejudice to Valassis’s rights to pursue relief for those claims in Valassis I. The District Court sustained Valassis’s objection to the stay of Valassis II, but further ordered that all remaining claims in the NAM Group’s motion to dismiss be referred to the Antitrust Expert Panel. The District Court further ordered that the case be administratively closed and that it may be re-opened following proceedings before the Antitrust Expert Panel.

On May 17, 2016, the District Court held a status conference to discuss the referral to the Antitrust Expert Panel in both Valassis I and Valassis II. While it is not possible at this time to predict with any degree of certainty the ultimate outcome of these actions, the NAM Group believes it has been compliant with applicable laws and intends to defend itself vigorously in both actions.

Zillow Settlement

In March 2014, Move, the National Association of Realtors® (“NAR”) and three related entities filed a complaint against Zillow, Inc. (“Zillow”) and Errol Samuelson in the Superior Court of the State of Washington alleging, among other things, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract. The complaint was amended in February 2015 to add Curt Beardsley as a defendant. On June 6, 2016, the parties entered into a settlement agreement and release pursuant to which Zillow paid the plaintiffs $130 million and the pending litigation was dismissed with prejudice. Under the terms of an agreement with Move, NAR received 10% of the settlement proceeds after deduction of Move’s litigation-related costs and fees, and Move received the remainder. As a result, the Company recognized a $122 million gain in NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net in the Company’s Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

Other

The Company’s operations are subject to tax in various domestic and international jurisdictions and as a matter of course, it is regularly audited by federal, state and foreign 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 financial condition, future results of operations or liquidity. As subsidiaries of 21st Century Fox prior to the Separation, the Company and each of its domestic subsidiaries have joint and several liability with 21st Century Fox for the consolidated U.S. federal income taxes of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group relating to any taxable periods during which the Company or any of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries were a member of the 21st Century Fox 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 21st Century Fox consolidated group. In conjunction with the Separation, the Company entered into the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement with 21st Century Fox, which requires 21st Century Fox to indemnify the Company for any such liability. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the IRS or other taxing authorities in amounts that the Company cannot quantify

 

122


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 16. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

The Company’s employees participate in various defined benefit pension and postretirement plans sponsored by the Company and its subsidiaries. Plans in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada are accounted for as defined benefit pension plans. Accordingly, the funded and unfunded position of each plan is recorded in the Balance Sheets. Actuarial gains and losses that have not yet been recognized through income are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. The determination of benefit obligations and the recognition of expenses related to the plans are dependent on various assumptions. The major assumptions primarily relate to discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on plan assets and mortality rates. Management develops each assumption using relevant company experience in conjunction with market-related data for each individual country in which such plans exist. The funded status of the plans can change from year to year, but the assets of the funded plans have been sufficient to pay all benefits that came due in each of fiscal 2016, 2015, and 2014.

Summary of Funded Status

The Company uses a June 30 measurement date for all pension and postretirement benefit plans. The combined domestic and foreign pension and postretirement plans resulted in a net pension and postretirement benefits liability of $356 million and $281 million at June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company recognized these amounts in the Balance Sheets at June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits                          
     Domestic     Foreign     Postretirement benefits     Total  
     As of June 30,  
       2016         2015         2016         2015         2016         2015         2016         2015    
     (in millions)              

Other non-current assets

   $ —        $   —        $ 4      $ 36      $ —        $ —        $ 4      $ 36   

Other current liabilities

     —          —          (1     (1     (9     (11     (10     (12

Retirement benefit obligations

     (109     (80     (124     (103     (117     (122     (350     (305
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

   $ (109   $ (80   $ (121   $ (68   $ (126   $ (133   $ (356   $ (281
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

123


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table sets forth the change in the projected benefit obligation, change in the fair value of the Company’s plan assets and funded status:

 

    Pension Benefits                          
    Domestic     Foreign     Postretirement
Benefits
    Total  
    As of June 30,  
      2016         2015         2016         2015         2016         2015         2016         2015    
    (in millions)  

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of the year

  $ 382      $ 350      $ 1,272      $ 1,252      $ 133      $ 150      $ 1,787      $ 1,752   

Service cost

    —          1        10        11        —          —          10        12   

Interest cost

    17        17        44        49        5        6        66        72   

Benefits paid

    (18     (16     (55     (58     (8     (9     (81     (83

Settlements(a)

    (11     (9     (33     —          —          —          (44     (9

Actuarial loss/(gain)(b)

    28        10        153        85        (2     (13     179        82   

Foreign exchange rate changes

    —          —          (188     (122     (2     (1     (190     (123

Plan curtailments

    (2     —          (2     —          —          —          (4     —     

Amendments, transfers and other(c)

    —          29        —          55        —          —          —          84   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation, end of the year

    396        382        1,201        1,272        126        133        1,723        1,787   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in the fair value of plan assets for the Company’s benefit plans:

               

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of the year

    302        301        1,204        1,234        —          —          1,506        1,535   

Actual return on plan assets

    14        5        107        91        —          —          121        96   

Employer contributions

    —          —          26        9        —          —          26        9   

Benefits paid

    (18     (16     (55     (58     —          —          (73     (74

Settlements(a)

    (11     (9     (33     —          —          —          (44     (9

Foreign exchange rate changes

    —          —          (169     (120     —          —          (169     (120

Amendments, transfers and other(c)

    —          21        —          48        —          —          —          69   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of the year

    287        302        1,080        1,204        —          —          1,367        1,506   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Funded status

  $ (109   $ (80   $ (121   $ (68   $ (126   $ (133   $ (356   $ (281
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Amounts related to payments made to former employees of the Company in full settlement of their deferred pension benefits.

(b)

Fiscal 2016 actuarial losses for the Company’s pension plans are primarily related to the reduction in discount rates used in measuring plan obligations as of June 30, 2016. Fiscal 2016 actuarial gains related to postretirement benefits primarily relate to favorable changes in plan demographics. Fiscal 2015 actuarial losses for domestic pension plans are primarily related to the strengthening of the mortality tables utilized in measuring plan obligations as of June 30, 2015. Fiscal 2015 actuarial losses for foreign pension plans are primarily related to changes in the discount rate utilized in measuring the plan obligations as of June 30, 2015. Fiscal 2015 actuarial gains related to postretirement benefits primarily relate to changes in plan demographics.

(c)

For fiscal 2015, the increase in the Company’s pension benefit obligation and plan assets relates to the acquisition of Harlequin and the assumption of Harlequin’s defined benefit pension plans which resulted in an increase in the Company’s net pension liability of approximately $15 million.

 

124


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consist of:

 

     Pension Benefits      Postretirement
Benefits
    Total  
     Domestic      Foreign       
     As of June 30,  
       2016          2015          2016          2015          2016         2015         2016         2015    
     (in millions)  

Actuarial losses (gains)

   $ 158       $ 131       $ 452       $ 439       $ 2      $ 4      $ 612      $ 574   

Prior service (benefit) cost

     —           —           —           —           (34     (41     (34     (41
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amounts recognized

   $ 158       $ 131       $ 452       $ 439       $ (32   $ (37   $ 578      $ 533   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost in fiscal 2017:

 

     Pension Benefits      Postretirement
Benefits
    Total  
     Domestic      Foreign       
     As of June 30, 2016  
     (in millions)  

Actuarial losses (gains)

   $ 5       $ 17       $   —        $ 22   

Prior service (benefit) cost

     —           —           (4     (4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amounts recognized

   $ 5       $ 17       $ (4   $ 18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated pension benefit obligations as of June 30, 2016 and 2015 were $1,588 million and $1,639 million, respectively. Below is information about funded and unfunded pension plans.

 

     Domestic Pension Benefits  
     Funded Plans      Unfunded Plans      Total  
     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015      2016      2015      2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 383       $ 370       $ 13       $ 12       $ 396       $ 382   

Accumulated benefit obligation

     383         368         13         12         396         380   

Fair value of plan assets

     287         302         —           —           287         302   
     Foreign Pension Benefits  
     Funded Plans      Unfunded Plans      Total  
     As of June 30,  
       2016          2015          2016          2015          2016          2015    
     (in millions)  

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 1,131       $ 1,198       $ 70       $ 74       $ 1,201       $ 1,272   

Accumulated benefit obligation

     1,122         1,185         70         74         1,192         1,259   

Fair value of plan assets

     1,080         1,204         —           —           1,080         1,204   

 

125


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets for all domestic pension plans. Below is information about foreign pension plans in which the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the plan assets.

 

     Funded Plans      Unfunded Plans      Total  
     As of June 30,  
       2016          2015          2016          2015          2016          2015    
     (in millions)                

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 821       $ 550       $ 70       $ 74       $ 891       $ 624   

Accumulated benefit obligation

     821         549         70         74         891         623   

Fair value of plan assets

     773         525         —           —           773         525   

Summary of Net Periodic Benefit Costs

The Company recorded $8 million, ($4) million and $7 million in net periodic benefit costs (income) in the Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Beginning in fiscal 2017, the Company will change the method used to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs (income) for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. For fiscal 2016 and previous periods presented, the Company estimated the service and interest cost components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate for each country derived from a yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation. The new method utilizes a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to their underlying projected cash flows. The Company changed to the new method to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and their corresponding spot rates. The change is accounted for as a change in accounting estimate which is applied prospectively. This change in estimate is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s pension and postretirement net periodic benefit expense in future periods.

The amortization of amounts related to unrecognized prior service costs (credits) and deferred losses were reclassified out of Other comprehensive income as a component of net periodic benefit costs.

The components of net periodic benefits costs were as follows:

 

    Pension Benefits                                      
    Domestic     Foreign     Postretirement Benefits     Total  
    For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
      2016         2015         2014         2016         2015         2014         2016         2015         2014         2016         2015         2014    
    (in millions)  

Service cost benefits earned during the period

  $   —        $ 1      $ 4      $ 10      $ 11      $ 12      $   —        $   —        $ 1      $ 10      $ 12      $ 17   

Interest costs on projected benefit obligations

    17        17        16        44        49        51        5        6        7        66        72        74   

Expected return on plan assets

    (19     (22     (17     (62     (71     (76     —          —          —          (81     (93     (93

Amortization of deferred losses

    4        3        4        14        13        12        —          —          (1     18        16        15   

Amortization of prior service costs

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (7     (13     (13     (7     (13     (13

Settlements, curtailments and other

    —          2        4        2        —          3        —          —          —          2        2        7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefits costs- Total

  $ 2      $ 1      $ 11      $ 8      $ 2      $ 2      $ (2   $ (7   $ (6   $ 8      $ (4   $ 7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

126


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Pension Benefits                    
     Domestic     Foreign     Postretirement Benefits  
     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     2014     2016     2015     2014     2016     2015     2014  

Additional information:

                  

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

                  

Discount rate

     3.7     4.5     4.5     2.9     3.7     4.2     3.4     4.2     4.0

Rate of increase in future compensation

     N/A        3.0     N/A        2.7     2.9     3.6     N/A        N/A        N/A   

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

                  

Discount rate

     4.5     4.5     5.0     3.7     4.2     4.5     4.2     4.0     4.7

Expected return on plan assets

     6.5     7.0     7.0     5.5     6.2     6.8     N/A        N/A        N/A   

Rate of increase in future compensation

     3.0     3.0     5.3     2.9     3.6     3.7     N/A        N/A        N/A   

 

N/A – not applicable

The following assumed health care cost trend rates as of June 30 were also used in accounting for postretirement benefits:

 

     Postretirement benefits  
     Fiscal 2016     Fiscal 2015  

Health care cost trend rate

     6.7     6.6

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

     4.5     4.6

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

     2028        2027   

Assumed health care cost trend rates could have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement health care plan. The effect of a one percentage point increase and one percentage point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects on the results for fiscal 2016:

 

     Service and
Interest Costs
     Benefit
Obligation
 
     (in millions)  

One percentage point increase

   $ 1       $ 12   

One percentage point decrease

   $   —         $ (11

 

127


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table sets forth the estimated benefit payments for the next five fiscal years, and in aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter. The expected benefits are estimated based on the same assumptions used to measure the Company’s benefit obligation at the end of the fiscal year and include benefits attributable to estimated future employee service:

 

     Expected Benefit Payments  
     Pension Benefits      Postretirement
Benefits
     Total  
     Domestic      Foreign        
     (in millions)  

Fiscal year:

           

2017

   $ 24         47         9       $ 80   

2018

     21         48         9         78   

2019

     20         50         9         79   

2020

     20         53         9         82   

2021

     21         54         9         84   

2022-2026

     107         292         41         440   

Plan Assets

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 715, which requires disclosures including: (i) investment policies and strategies; (ii) the major categories of plan assets; (iii) the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure plan assets; (iv) the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period; and (v) significant concentrations of risk within plan assets.

The table below presents the Company’s plan assets by level within the fair value hierarchy, as described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, as of June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

    As of June 30, 2016     As of June 30, 2015  
    Total     Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
          Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
 

Description

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     NAV     Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     NAV  
    (in millions)  

Assets

                   

Short-term investments

  $ —        $   —        $   —        $   —        $ —        $ —        $   —        $   —        $   —        $ —     

Pooled funds:(a)

                   

Money market funds

    —          —          —          —          —          4        —          4        —          —     

Domestic equity funds

    81        —          —          —          81        88        —          —          —          88   

International equity funds

    244        —          —          —          244        312        —          —          —          312   

Domestic fixed income funds

    160        —          —          —          160        162        —          —          —          162   

International fixed income funds

    618        —          —          —          618        585        —          —          —          585   

Balanced funds

    251        —          57        —          194        337        —          73        —          264   

Other

    13        2        —          11        —          18        6        —          12        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,367      $ 2      $ 57      $ 11      $ 1,297      $ 1,506      $ 6      $ 77      $ 12      $ 1,411   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Open-ended pooled funds that are registered and/or available to the general public are valued at the daily published net asset value (“NAV”). Other pooled funds are valued at the NAV provided by the fund issuer.

 

128


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of investments reflected as Level 3 assets as of June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

     Level 3
Investments
 
     (in millions)  

Balance, June 30, 2014

   $ 12   

Actual return on plan assets:

  

Relating to assets still held at end of period

     1   

Relating to assets sold during the period

     —     

Purchases, sales, settlements and issuances

     (1

Transfers in and out of Level 3

     —     
  

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2015

   $ 12   

Actual return on plan assets:

  

Relating to assets still held at end of period

     —     

Relating to assets sold during the period

     —     

Purchases, sales, settlements and issuances

     (1

Transfers in and out of Level 3

     —     
  

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2016

   $ 11   
  

 

 

 

The Company’s investment strategy for its pension plans is to maximize the long-term rate of return on plan assets within an acceptable level of risk in order to minimize the cost of providing pension benefits while maintaining adequate funding levels. The Company’s practice is to conduct a periodic strategic review of its asset allocation. The Company’s current broad strategic targets are to have a pension asset portfolio comprised of 26% equity securities, 62% fixed income securities and 12% in cash and other investments. In developing the expected long-term rate of return, the Company considered the pension asset portfolio’s past average rate of returns and future return expectations of the various asset classes. A portion of the other allocation is reserved in short-term cash to provide for expected benefits to be paid in the short term. The Company’s equity portfolios are managed in such a way as to achieve optimal diversity. The Company’s fixed income portfolio is investment grade in the aggregate. The Company does not manage any assets internally.

The Company’s benefit plan weighted-average asset allocations, by asset category, are as follows:

 

     Pension benefits  
     As of June 30,  
     2016     2015  

Asset Category:

    

Equity securities

     26     29

Debt securities

     62     55

Cash and other

     12     16
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Required pension plan contributions for the next fiscal year are expected to be approximately $25 million; however, actual contributions may be affected by pension asset and liability valuation changes during the year. The Company will continue to make voluntary contributions as necessary to improve funded status.

 

129


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 17. OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Multiemployer Pension and Postretirement Plans

The Company contributes to various multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover certain of its union-represented employees, primarily at the newspaper businesses. The risks of participating in these multiemployer pension plans are different from single-employer pension plans in that (i) contributions made by the Company to the multiemployer pension plans may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers; (ii) if the Company chooses to stop participating in certain of these multiemployer pension plans, it may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, which is referred to as a withdrawal liability; and (iii) actions taken by a participating employer that lead to a deterioration of the financial health of a multiemployer pension plan may result in the unfunded obligations of the multiemployer pension plan being borne by its remaining participating employers. While no multiemployer pension plan that the Company contributed to is individually significant to the Company, the Company was listed on certain Form 5500s as providing more than 5% of total contributions based on the current information available. The financial health of a multiemployer plan is indicated by the zone status, as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which represents the funded status of the plan as certified by the plan’s actuary. In general, plans in the red zone are less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are between 65% and 80% funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The funded status of the plans which the Company was listed as providing more than 5% of total contributions reported green zone status for the most recent available plan year. Total contributions made by the Company to multiemployer pension plans for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were approximately $5 million.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has defined contribution plans for the benefit of substantially all employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. Employer contributions to such plans were $132 million, $138 million and $133 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has non-qualified deferred compensation plans for the benefit of certain management employees. The investment funds offered to the participants generally correspond to the funds offered in the Company’s 401(k) plan, and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. The unfunded obligation of the plans included in Other liabilities as of June 30, 2016 and 2015 were $36 million, and the majority of these plans are closed to new employees.

NOTE 18. INCOME TAXES

Income (loss) before income tax (benefit) expense was attributable to the following jurisdictions:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015               2014(a)      
     (in millions)  

U.S.

   $ (125   $ 148       $ (602

Foreign

     306        404         424   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax (benefit) expense

   $ 181      $ 552       $ (178
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Discussion of Foreign Tax Refund below.

 

130


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The significant components of the Company’s income tax (benefit) expense were as follows:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015              2014(a)      
     (in millions)  

Current:

      

U.S.

      

Federal

   $ 15      $ 35      $ 86   

State & local

     5        11        (19

Foreign

     102        135        (734
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current tax

     122        181        (667
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred:

      

U.S.

      

Federal

     (71     16        19   

State & local

     (106     1        12   

Foreign

     1        (13     22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax

     (176     4        53   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax (benefit) expense

   $ (54 )(b)    $ 185      $ (614
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Discussion of Foreign Tax Refund below.

(b) 

The Company recognized a tax benefit of approximately $144 million upon reclassification of the Digital Education segment to discontinued operations in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Statements of Operations in fiscal 2016. In addition, a tax benefit of $30 million related to the current year operations of the Digital Education segment was recorded to discontinued operations in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Statements of Operations in fiscal 2016. The tax (benefit) expense shown above excludes the tax benefit of the Company’s digital education business. The Company will not have a current federal tax expense after accounting for the current federal tax benefits attributed to discontinued operations.

Foreign Tax Refund

The Company filed refund claims for certain losses pertaining to periods prior to the Separation in a foreign jurisdiction that were subject to litigation. During fiscal 2014, the litigation was resolved in favor of the Company and as a result, the Company received approximately $794 million for the gross tax refund and interest owed to the Company by the foreign tax authority.

The Company recorded a tax benefit, net of applicable taxes on interest, of $721 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 to Income tax benefit (expense) in the Statements of Operations. Refunds received related to these matters were paid to 21st Century Fox, net of applicable taxes on interest, in accordance with the terms of the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement. Accordingly, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded an expense to Other, net of $721 million for the payment to 21st Century Fox in the Statements of Operations which is included in U.S. pre-tax book income in the table of jurisdictional earnings above.

 

131


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Refer to the table below for the net impact of the tax refund and interest, net of tax, recorded in the Statements of Operations:

 

     For the fiscal year
ended June 30,
2014
 
     (in millions)  

Other, net

   $ (721

Income tax benefit (expense)

     721   
  

 

 

 

Net impact to the Statement of Operations

   $ —     
  

 

 

 

The reconciliation between the Company’s actual effective tax rate and the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35% was:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
       2016         2015         2014    

U.S. Federal income tax rate

     35     35     35

State and local taxes, net

     (8     1        3   

Effect of foreign operations(a)

     (1     (2     38   

Foreign tax refund received(b)

                   405   

Foreign tax refund paid to 21st Century Fox(b)

                   (142

Change in valuation allowance(c)

     (62              

Non-deductible compensation and benefits

     3        1          

R&D credits

     (2     (1     2   

Other, net

     5               4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate(d)

     (30 )%      34     345
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Company’s foreign operations are located primarily in Australia and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) which have lower income tax rates than the U.S. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, the effect of foreign operations at lower tax rates decreased the Company’s effective tax rate 1% and 2%, respectively, as the Company recorded pre-tax book income on a consolidated basis. For the year ended June 30, 2014, the effect of foreign operations at lower tax rates increased the Company’s effective tax rate 38% as the Company recorded pre-tax book loss on a consolidated basis.

(b) 

The Company recorded a tax benefit, net of applicable taxes on interest, of $721 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 to Income tax benefit (expense) in the Statements of Operations related to certain foreign tax refunds received. See the discussion of Foreign Tax Refund above. The tax benefit related to these refunds increased our effective tax rate 405%. These foreign tax refunds received were paid to 21st Century Fox, net of applicable taxes on interest, in accordance with the terms of the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement. Accordingly, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded an expense to Other, net of approximately $721 million for the payment to 21st Century Fox in the Statements of Operations. This expense is a non-deductible item the tax effect of which is approximately $252 million and reflected as a decrease of approximately 142% in our effective tax rate.

(c) 

Included in the change in valuation allowance is a tax benefit of $106 million related to the release of previously established valuation allowances related to certain U.S. Federal net operating losses and state deferred tax assets. This benefit was recognized in conjunction with management’s plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business during fiscal 2016, as the Company now expects to generate sufficient U.S. taxable income to utilize these deferred tax assets prior to expiration. Total tax benefits related to the release of valuation allowances decreased our effective tax rate by 62%.

 

132


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(d) 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the effective tax rate of (30%) represents income tax benefit when compared to consolidated pre-tax book income. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the effective tax rate of 34% represents an income tax expense when compared to consolidated pre-tax book income. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, the effective tax rate of 345% represents an income tax benefit when compared to consolidated pre-tax book loss. As a result, certain reconciling items between the U.S. federal income tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate may have the opposite impact.

The Company recognized current and deferred income taxes in the Balance Sheets at June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016     2015(a)  
     (in millions)  

Other current assets

   $ —        $ 63   

Deferred income tax assets

     602        219   

Other current liabilities

     —          (1

Deferred income tax liabilities

     (171     (166
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 431      $ 115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

In fiscal 2016, the Company early-adopted ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which requires that deferred income tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As such, the requirement under prior guidance which required an entity to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current and non-current amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheet has been eliminated. The prior periods have not been retroactively adjusted as a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-17.

The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016     2015  
     (in millions)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Accrued liabilities

   $ 185      $ 56   

Capital loss carryforwards

     803        892   

Retirement benefit obligations

     112        85   

Net operating loss carryforwards

     580        540   

Business credits

     38        46   

Other

     234        310   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     1,952        1,929   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Asset basis difference and amortization

     (442     (465

Other

     (65     (41
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (507     (506
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance

     1,445        1,423   

Less: valuation allowance (See Note 21 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts)

     (1,014     (1,308
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 431      $ 115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

133


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had income tax Net Operating Loss Carryforwards (NOLs) (gross, net of uncertain tax benefits), in various jurisdictions as follows:

 

Jurisdiction

   Expiration    Amount
(in  millions)
 

U.S. Federal

   2021 to 2036    $ 858   

U.S. States

   Various      581   

Australia

   Indefinite      452   

U.K.

   Indefinite      134   

Other Foreign

   Various      346   

Utilization of the NOLs is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income from our operations in each of the respective jurisdictions to which the NOLs relate, while taking into account limitations and/or restrictions on our ability to use them. Certain of our U.S. Federal NOLs were acquired as part of the acquisitions of Move and Harlequin and are subject to limitations as promulgated under Section 382 of the Code. Section 382 of the Code limits the amount of acquired NOLs that we can use on an annual basis to offset future U.S. consolidated taxable income. The NOLs are also subject to review by relevant tax authorities in the jurisdictions to which they relate.

The Company recorded a deferred tax asset of $580 million and $540 million (net of approximately $53 million and $95 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits) associated with its NOLs as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Significant judgment is applied in assessing our ability to realize our NOLs and other tax assets. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize existing deferred tax assets within the applicable expiration period. On the basis of this evaluation, valuation allowances of $97 million and $304 million have been established to reduce the deferred tax asset associated with the Company’s NOLs to an amount that will more likely than not be realized as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amount of the NOL deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses occurs.

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion of capital loss carryforwards in Australia and the U.K., respectively, which may be carried forward indefinitely and which are subject to tax authority review. Realization of our capital losses is dependent on generating capital gain taxable income and satisfying certain continuity of business requirements. The Company recorded a deferred tax asset of $803 million and $892 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively for these capital loss carryforwards, however, it is more likely than not that the Company will not generate capital gain income in the normal course of business in these jurisdictions. Accordingly, valuation allowances of $803 million and $892 million have been established to reduce the capital loss carryforward deferred tax asset to an amount that will more likely than not be realized as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $26 million of U.S. Federal tax credit carryforward which includes $22 million of foreign tax credits and $4 million of research & development credits which begin to expire in 2025 and 2036, respectively.

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $5 million of non-U.S. tax credit carryforwards which expire in various amounts beginning in 2025 and $8 million of state tax credit carryforwards (net of U.S. federal benefit), of which the balance can be carried forward indefinitely. In accordance with the Company’s accounting policy, a valuation allowance of $5 million has been established to reduce the deferred tax asset associated with the Company’s non-U.S. and state credit carryforwards to an amount that will more likely than not be realized as of June 30, 2016.

 

134


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement

The Company entered into a Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement with 21st Century Fox that governs the Company’s and 21st Century Fox’s respective rights, responsibilities, and obligations with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax contests and other matters regarding income taxes, non-income taxes and related tax returns. Among other matters, as subsidiaries of 21st Century Fox prior to the Separation, the Company and each of its domestic subsidiaries have joint and several liability with 21st Century Fox for the consolidated U.S. federal income taxes of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group relating to any taxable periods during which the Company or any of such subsidiaries were a member of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group. Under the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, 21st Century Fox will indemnify the Company for any such liability.

The Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement provides that the Company will generally indemnify 21st Century Fox against taxes attributable to the Company’s assets or operations for all tax periods or portions thereof after the Separation. For taxable periods or portions thereof prior to the Separation, 21st Century Fox will generally indemnify the Company against U.S. consolidated taxes attributable to such periods, and the Company will indemnify 21st Century Fox against the Company’s separately filed U.S., state, and foreign taxes and foreign consolidated taxes for such periods.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The following table sets forth the change in the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 129      $ 58      $ 127   

Additions for prior year tax positions

     6        79        39   

Additions for current year tax positions

     4        4        5   

Reduction for prior year tax positions

     (40     (7     (114

Lapse of the statute of limitations

     (2     —          —     

Cash settlements

     (2     —          —     

Impact of currency translations

     (9     (5     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 86      $ 129      $ 58   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalty charges related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense, which is consistent with the recognition in prior reporting periods. The Company recognized a benefit related to interest of $1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and interest charges of $6 million and nil during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recorded liabilities for accrued interest of approximately $6 million and $8 million as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company’s tax returns are subject to on-going review and examination by various tax authorities. Tax authorities may not agree with the treatment of items reported in our tax returns, and therefore the outcome of tax reviews and examinations can be unpredictable. The Company is currently undergoing tax examinations in several states and foreign jurisdictions where the tax authorities are reviewing a range of prior year transactions which are at various stages of development. The Company believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of uncertain tax matters and believes such liabilities represent a reasonable provision for taxes

 

135


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ultimately expected to be paid, however, the Company may need to accrue additional income tax expense and our liability may need to be adjusted as new information becomes known and as these tax examinations continue to progress, or as settlements or litigations occur.

The following is a summary of major tax jurisdictions for which tax authorities may assert additional taxes based upon tax years currently under audit and subsequent years that could be audited by the respective taxing authorities.

 

Jurisdiction

  

Fiscal Years Open to Examination

U.S. Federal

   2009-2015

U.S. States

   Various

Australia

   2010-2015

U.K.

   2011-2015

It is reasonably possible that uncertain tax positions may increase or decrease in the next fiscal year, however, actual developments in this area could differ from those currently expected. As of June 30, 2016, approximately $54 million would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate, if and when recognized in future fiscal years. It is reasonably possible the amount of uncertain tax liabilities which may be resolved within the next fiscal year is between the range of approximately nil and $35 million.

The Company has not provided for U.S. taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. Calculation of the unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to these earnings is not practicable. Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries considered to be indefinitely reinvested amounted to approximately $2.7 billion as of June 30, 2016. The amount of undistributed earnings reflects adjustments related to the Separation from 21st Century Fox that were finalized with the filing of our income tax returns in periods after the Separation.

During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company paid gross income taxes of $103 million, $134 million and $116 million, respectively, and received income tax refunds of $10 million, $8 million and $837 million, respectively. The income tax refunds for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 included the $794 million related to amounts received from a foreign tax authority as discussed above.

NOTE 19. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages and reports its businesses in the following five segments:

 

   

News and Information Services—The News and Information Services segment includes the global print and digital product offerings of The Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones Media Group, which includes Barrons and MarketWatch, as well as the Company’s suite of professional information products, including Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Jones PEVC and DJX. The Company also owns, among other publications, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun and The Courier-Mail in Australia, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Sun on Sunday in the U.K. and the New York Post in the U.S. This segment also includes both News America Marketing, a leading provider of home-delivered shopper media, in-store marketing products and services and digital marketing solutions, including Checkout 51’s mobile application, as well as Unruly, a leading global video advertising distribution platform.

 

   

Book Publishing—The Book Publishing segment consists of HarperCollins, the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 18 countries and particular strengths in

 

136


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

general fiction, nonfiction, children’s and religious publishing. HarperCollins owns more than 120 branded publishing imprints, including Avon, Harper, HarperCollins Children’s Books, William Morrow, Harlequin and Christian publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, and publishes works by well-known authors such as Harper Lee, Mitch Albom, Veronica Roth, Rick Warren, Sarah Young and Agatha Christie and popular titles such as The Hobbit, Goodnight Moon, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jesus Calling and the Divergent series.

 

   

Digital Real Estate Services—The Digital Real Estate Services segment consists primarily of the Company’s interests in REA Group and Move. REA Group is a publicly traded company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: REA) that advertises property and property-related services on websites and mobile applications across Australia, Europe and Asia. REA Group operates Australia’s leading residential and commercial property websites, realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au. The Company holds a 61.6% interest in REA Group.

Move, acquired in November 2014, is a leading provider of online real estate services in the U.S. and primarily operates realtor.com®, a premier real estate information and services marketplace. Move also offers a number of professional software and services products, including Top Producer®, TigerLead® and ListHubTM. The Company owns an 80% interest in Move, with the remaining 20% being held by REA Group.

 

   

Cable Network Programming—The Cable Network Programming segment consists of FOX SPORTS Australia, the leading sports programming provider in Australia, with seven high definition television channels distributed via cable, satellite and IP, several interactive viewing applications and broadcast rights to live sporting events in Australia including: National Rugby League, the domestic football league, international cricket and Australian Rugby Union.

 

   

Other—The Other segment consists primarily of general corporate overhead expenses, the corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The Company’s corporate Strategy and Creative Group was formed to identify new products and services across its businesses to increase revenues and profitability and to target and assess potential acquisitions and investments.

Segment EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses and excluding the impact from the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements. Segment EBITDA does not include: Depreciation and amortization, impairment and restructuring charges, equity earnings of affiliates, interest, net, other, net, income tax benefit (expense) and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what items should be included in the calculation of Segment EBITDA.

Segment EBITDA is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources within the Company’s businesses. Segment EBITDA provides management, investors and equity analysts with a measure to analyze the operating performance of each of the Company’s business segments and its enterprise value against historical data and competitors’ data, although historical results may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences). The Company believes that information about Segment EBITDA allows users of its Consolidated Financial Statements to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company’s portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net income (loss), thus providing insight into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results.

Total Segment EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss), cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with

 

137


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

GAAP. In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items, such as depreciation and amortization and impairment and restructuring charges, which are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance. The following table reconciles Total Segment EBITDA to income from continuing operations.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Revenues:

      

News and Information Services

   $ 5,338      $ 5,731      $ 6,153   

Book Publishing

     1,646        1,667        1,434   

Digital Real Estate Services

     822        625        408   

Cable Network Programming

     484        500        491   

Other

     2        1        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     8,292        8,524        8,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA:

      

News and Information Services

   $ 214      $ 603      $ 665   

Book Publishing

     185        221        197   

Digital Real Estate Services

     344        201        214   

Cable Network Programming

     124        135        128   

Other

     (183     (215     (241
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment EBITDA

     684        945        963   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

     (505     (498     (552

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (89     (84     (94

Equity earnings of affiliates

     30        58        90   

Interest, net

     43        56        68   

Other, net

     18        75        (653
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense)

     181        552        (178

Income tax benefit (expense)

     54        (185     614   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 235      $ 367      $ 436   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016              2015              2014      
     (in millions)  

Depreciation and amortization:

        

News and Information Services

   $ 347       $ 365       $ 458   

Book Publishing

     55         52         36   

Digital Real Estate Services

     69         44         20   

Cable Network Programming

     29         33         36   

Other

     5         4         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Depreciation and amortization

   $ 505       $ 498       $ 552   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

138


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016              2015              2014      
     (in millions)  

Capital expenditures:

        

News and Information Services

   $ 174       $ 238       $ 268   

Book Publishing

     9         12         52   

Digital Real Estate Services

     64         45         24   

Cable Network Programming

     8         7         7   

Other

     1         6         7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Capital expenditures

   $ 256       $ 308       $ 358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Total assets:

     

News and Information Services

   $ 6,728       $ 6,749   

Book Publishing

     1,855         2,022   

Digital Real Estate Services

     2,158         1,278   

Cable Network Programming

     1,101         1,163   

Other(a)

     1,371         1,352   

Investments

     2,270         2,379   

Assets held for sale

     —           92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 15,483       $ 15,035   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The Other segment primarily includes Cash and cash equivalents.

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Goodwill and intangible assets, net:

     

News and Information Services

   $ 2,651       $ 2,593   

Book Publishing

     869         896   

Digital Real Estate Services

     1,499         835   

Cable Network Programming

     898         938   

Other

     4         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total goodwill and intangible assets, net

   $   5,921       $   5,266   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Geographic Segments

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016              2015              2014      
     (in millions)  

Revenues:(a)

        

U.S. and Canada(b)

   $ 3,920       $ 3,808       $ 3,631   

Europe(c)

     1,873         1,982         2,045   

Australasia and Other(d)

     2,499         2,734         2,810   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 8,292       $ 8,524       $ 8,486   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

139


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

(a)

Revenues are attributed to region based on location of customer.

(b)

Revenues include approximately $3.8 billion for fiscal 2016, $3.6 billion for fiscal 2015 and $3.5 billion for fiscal 2014 from customers in the U.S.

(c)

Revenues include approximately $1.5 billion for fiscal 2016, $1.6 billion for fiscal 2015 and $1.8 billion for fiscal 2014 from customers in the U.K.

(d)

Revenues include approximately $2.3 billion for fiscal 2016, $2.3 billion for fiscal 2015 and $2.6 billion for fiscal 2014 from customers in Australia.

 

     As of June 30,  
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Long-lived assets:(a)

     

U.S. and Canada

   $ 1,058       $ 1,097   

Europe

     939         1,201   

Australasia and Other

     804         859   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-lived assets

   $ 2,801       $ 3,157   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Reflects total assets less current assets, goodwill, intangible assets, investments and non-current deferred tax assets.

There is no material reliance on any single customer. Revenues are attributed to countries based on location of customers.

Australasia comprises Australia, Asia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

NOTE 20. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Other Current Assets

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

 

     As of June 30,  
       2016          2015    
     (in millions)  

Inventory(a)

   $ 218       $ 299   

Deferred tax assets

     —           63   

Assets held for sale

     —           92   

Amounts due from 21st Century Fox

     55         63   

Prepayments and other current assets

     240         263   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other current assets

   $ 513       $ 780   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Inventory as of June 30, 2016 and 2015 was primarily comprised of books, newsprint, printing ink, and programming rights.

 

140


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Other Non-Current Assets

The following table sets forth the components of Other non-current assets included in the Balance Sheets:

 

     As of June 30,  
       2016          2015    
     (in millions)  

Royalty advances to authors

   $ 311       $ 304   

Other

     85         163   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other non-current assets

   $ 396       $ 467   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other Current Liabilities

The following table sets forth the components of Other current liabilities:

 

     As of June 30,  
       2016          2015    
     (in millions)  

Current tax payable

   $ 33       $ 27   

Royalties and commissions payable

     179         163   

Other

     254         211   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other current liabilities

   $ 466       $ 401   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other, net

The following table sets forth the components of Other, net included in the Statements of Operations:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Gain on iProperty transaction(a)

   $ 29      $  —        $ —     

Impairment of marketable securities and cost method investments(b)

     (21     (5     (10

Foreign tax refund payable to 21st Century Fox(c)

     —          —          (721

Gain on third party pension contribution(d)

     —          —          37   

Gain on sale of Australian property

     —          —          36   

Gain on sale of marketable securities(e)

     —          29        6   

Dividends received from cost method investments

     —          25        —     

Gain on sale of cost method investments

     —          15        —     

Other

     10        11        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Other, net

   $ 18      $ 75      $ (653
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions.

(b)

See Note 6—Investments

(c)

See Note 18—Income Taxes

(d)

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014 approximately $37 million of contributions were made to a foreign pension plan by a third party in connection with the sale of a business in a prior period on behalf of former employees who retained certain pension benefits. This contribution reduced the Company’s Retirement benefit obligation and resulted in a gain being recognized in Other, net in the Statement of Operations during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.

 

141


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(e)

In August 2014, REA Group completed the sale of a minority interest held in marketable securities for total cash consideration of $104 million. As a result of the sale, REA Group recognized a pre-tax gain of $29 million, which was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and included in Other, net in the Statement of Operations.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income were as follows:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
         2016             2015             2014      
     (in millions)  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

      

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities:

      

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 19      $ 24      $ 2   

Fiscal year activity(a)

     1        (5     22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     20        19        24   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit Plan Adjustments:

      

Balance, beginning of year

     (413     (384     (348

Fiscal year activity(b)

     (32     (29     (36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     (445     (413     (384
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

      

Balance, beginning of year

     (188     971        617   

Fiscal year activity(c)

     (397     (1,159     354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     (585     (188     971   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share of other comprehensive income from equity affiliates, net:

      

Balance, beginning of year

     —          (1     —     

Fiscal year activity(d)

     (16     1        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     (16     —          (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

      

Balance, beginning of year

     (582     610        271   

Fiscal year activity, net of income taxes

     (444     (1,192     339   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

   $ (1,026   $ (582   $ 610   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Net of income tax expense of nil, nil and $14 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(b)

Net of income tax (benefit) of ($14) million, ($11) million and ($3) million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(c)

Excludes ($1) million, ($24) million and $2 million relating to noncontrolling interests for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(d)

Net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($7) million, $1 million and ($1) million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

142


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 21. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

    Balance at
beginning of
year
    Additions     Acquisitions
and disposals
    Utilization     Foreign
exchange
    Balance at
end of year
 
    (in millions)  

Fiscal 2016

           

Allowances for returns and doubtful accounts

  $ (220   $ (566   $ (12   $ 582      $ 3      $ (213

Deferred tax valuation allowance

    (1,308     (8     109        114        79        (1,014

Fiscal 2015

           

Allowances for returns and doubtful accounts

  $ (175   $ (573   $ (68   $ 586      $ 10      $ (220

Deferred tax valuation allowance

    (1,393     (102     (186     290        83        (1,308

Fiscal 2014

           

Allowances for returns and doubtful accounts

  $ (175   $ (382   $ —        $ 384      $ (2   $ (175

Deferred tax valuation allowance

    (1,391     (105     —          —          103        (1,393

 

143


Table of Contents

NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 22. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

For convenience purposes, all references to September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 refer to the three months ended September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively. All references to December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 refer to the three months ended December 27, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively. All references to March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 refer to the three months ended March 27, 2016, and March 29, 2015, respectively.

 

     For the three months ended  
     September 30,     December 31,     March 31,     June 30,  
     (in millions, except per share amounts)  

Fiscal 2016

        

Revenues

   $ 2,014      $ 2,161      $ 1,891      $ 2,226   

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to News Corporation stockholders

     129        87        (147     95   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     46        (24     (2     (5

Net income (loss) attributable to News Corporation stockholders

     175        63        (149     90   

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ 0.22      $ 0.15      $ (0.26   $ 0.16   

Income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

     0.08        (0.04     —          (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ 0.30      $ 0.11      $ (0.26   $ 0.15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal 2015

        

Revenues

   $ 2,108      $ 2,258      $ 2,041      $ 2,117   

Income from continuing operations attributable to News Corporation stockholders

     86        162        45        5   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (21     (19     (22     (383

Net income (loss) attributable to News Corporation stockholders

     65        143        23        (378

Income from continuing operations available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ 0.15      $ 0.27      $ 0.08      $ 0.01   

Loss available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

     (0.04     (0.03     (0.04     (0.66
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ 0.11      $ 0.24      $ 0.04      $ (0.65
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In August 2016, the Company declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.10 per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. This dividend is payable on October 19, 2016 to stockholders of record as of September 14, 2016.

 

144


Table of Contents
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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 Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual 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.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management’s report and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon are set forth on pages 77 and 78, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change 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 fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

145


Table of Contents

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item with respect to the Company’s Directors is contained in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the SEC under the heading “Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to the Company’s executive officers is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive Officers of News Corporation” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to the Company’s Standards of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance Matters—Corporate Governance Policies” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Board of Directors is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance Matters—Stockholder Recommendation of Director Candidates” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to the Company’s Audit Committee, including the Audit Committee’s members and its financial expert, is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance Matters—Board Committees” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item with respect to executive compensation and director compensation is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation,” respectively, and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to compensation committee interlocks and insider participation is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The compensation committee report required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Report of the Compensation Committee” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to compensation policies and practices as they relate to the Company’s risk management is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Risks Related to Compensation Policies and Practices” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this item with respect to securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

 

146


Table of Contents

The information required by this item with respect to the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Security Ownership of News Corporation” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item with respect to transactions with related persons is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance Matters—Related Party Transactions Policy” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

The information required by this item with respect to director independence is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Corporate Governance Matters—Director Independence” and “Corporate Governance Matters—Board Committees” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

 

147


Table of Contents

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 

  1. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements required to be filed as part of this Annual Report and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

  2. All other financial statement schedules are omitted because the required information is not applicable, or because the information called for is included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  3. Exhibits—The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report and such Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference. On the Exhibit Index, a “±” identifies each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report, and such listing is incorporated herein by reference.

 

148


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

NEWS CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By:    

/s/ Bedi Ajay Singh

 

Bedi Ajay Singh

Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 12, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Robert J. Thomson

Robert J. Thomson

   Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   August 12, 2016

/s/ Bedi Ajay Singh

Bedi Ajay Singh

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  August 12, 2016

/s/ Kevin P. Halpin

Kevin P. Halpin

   Principal Accounting Officer   August 12, 2016

/s/ K. Rupert Murdoch

K. Rupert Murdoch

   Executive Chairman   August 12, 2016

/s/ Lachlan K. Murdoch

Lachlan K. Murdoch

   Co-Chairman   August 12, 2016

/s/ José María Aznar

José María Aznar

   Director   August 12, 2016

/s/ Natalie Bancroft

Natalie Bancroft

   Director   August 12, 2016

/s/ Peter L. Barnes

Peter L. Barnes

   Director   August 12, 2016

/s/ Elaine L. Chao

Elaine L. Chao

   Director   August 12, 2016

/s/ John Elkann

John Elkann

   Director   August 12, 2016

/s/ Joel I. Klein

Joel I. Klein

   Director   August 12, 2016

 

149


Table of Contents

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ James R. Murdoch

James R. Murdoch

   Director   August 12, 2016

/s/ Ana Paula Pessoa

Ana Paula Pessoa

   Director   August 12, 2016

/s/ Masroor Siddiqui

Masroor Siddiqui

   Director   August 12, 2016

 

150


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  2.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated June 28, 2013, among News Corporation, New News Corporation and News Corp Holdings UK & Ireland. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 2013.)
  2.2    Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, dated June 28, 2013, between News Corporation and New News Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 2013.)
  2.3    FOX SPORTS Trade Mark Licence. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 2013.)
  2.4    FOX Trade Mark Licence. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 2013.)
  3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of News Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report of News Corporation on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2013.)
  3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of News Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 2013.)
  4.1    Second Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2015, between News Corporation and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2015.)
10.1    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 9, 2016, among News Corporation, NC Transaction, Inc. and Robert Thomson. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2016.)±
10.2    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 9, 2016, among News Corporation, NC Transaction, Inc. and Bedi Ajay Singh. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2016.)±
10.3    Employment Agreement, dated February 9, 2015, between NC Transaction, Inc. and David Pitofsky. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2015.)±
10.4    News Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective August 6, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2014.)±
10.5    NC Transaction, Inc. Restoration Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report of News Corporation on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2013.)±

 

151


Table of Contents

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

10.6    Form of Agreement for FY2015-2017 and FY2016-2018 Cash-Settled Performance Stock Units under the News Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Annual Report of News Corporation on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2014.)±
10.7    Form of Agreement for FY2015-2017 and FY2016-2018 Stock-Settled Performance Stock Units under the News Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Annual Report of News Corporation on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2014.)±
10.8    Letter Agreement, dated June 27, 2014, from News Corporation to K. Rupert Murdoch. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Annual Report of News Corporation on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2014.)±
10.9    Form of Agreement for Cash-Settled Performance Stock Units under the News Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. *±
10.10    Form of Agreement for Stock-Settled Performance Stock Units under the News Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. *±
10.11    Form of Agreement for Stock-Settled Restricted Share Units under the News Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. *±
10.12    Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2013, among News Corporation, as borrower, the lenders named therein, the initial issuing banks named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A. as co-administrative agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as designated agent, Commonwealth Bank of Australia as syndication agent and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Commonwealth Bank of Australia as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2013.)
10.13    Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 23, 2015, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2013, among News Corporation, as borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A., as co-administrative agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as designated agent, and the other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35769) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2015.)
21.1    List of Subsidiaries.*
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP with respect to News Corporation.*
23.2    Consent of Ernst & Young with respect to Foxtel Group.*
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.**
99.1    Audited Financial Statements as of June 30, 2016 for Foxtel Group.*

 

152


Table of Contents

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

101    The following financial information from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2016 and 2015; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014; (v) Consolidated Statements of Equity for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. *

 

* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
± Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

153