Fox Corp 10-Q for FY2023 Q1
Fox Corp (FOXA)
10-Q
2022-11-01
For: 2022-09-30
View Original
Added on
April 10, 2026
About this 10-Q
Fox Corp filed this 10-Q on November 1, 2022, covering the quarter ended September 30, 2022 (FY2023 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended September 30, 2022, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $3.19B
- up 4.8% from $3.05B a year earlier
- Net income
- $613M
- down 13.4% from net income of $708M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $1.10
- down 9.1% from $1.21 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |||||
For the quarterly period ended | |||||
or
| Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _________ to _________ | |||||
Commission file number 001-38776
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code) | ||||||||||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212 ) 852-7000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbols | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| x | Accelerated filer | o | |||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | |||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No x
As of October 28, 2022, 302,474,619 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 240,218,963 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.
FOX CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||||||||||
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
1
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN MILLIONS)
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit plan adjustments and other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(a) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
(a) | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
FOX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
As of September 30, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Receivables, net | |||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Non-current assets | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets | |||||||||||
| Other non-current assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Borrowings | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | |||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
| Equity | |||||||||||
Class A Common Stock(a) | |||||||||||
Class B Common Stock(b) | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total Fox Corporation stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||
| Total equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
(a) | |||||
(b) | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS)
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Amortization of cable distribution investments | |||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions | |||||||||||
| Receivables and other assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Inventories net of programming payable | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other changes, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | ( | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from dispositions, net | |||||||||||
| Purchase of investments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other investing activities, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Repurchase of shares | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends paid and distributions | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Sale of subsidiary noncontrolling interest | |||||||||||
| Other financing activities, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
FOX CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(IN MILLIONS)
| Class A | Class B | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Fox Corporation Stockholders’ Equity | Noncontrolling Interests(a) | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased | ( | — | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased | ( | — | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Fox Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“FOX” or the “Company”), is a news, sports and entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in the following segments: Cable Network Programming, Television and Other, Corporate and Eliminations.
The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.
These interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated and combined financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”).
The unaudited and audited consolidated financial statements are referred to as the “Financial Statements” herein. The unaudited consolidated statements of operations are referred to as the “Statements of Operations” herein. The unaudited and audited consolidated balance sheets are referred to as the “Balance Sheets” herein.
Recently Adopted, Recently Issued Accounting Guidance and Other
Inflation Reduction Act
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act which, among other changes, imposes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) and a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases. Once subject to the CAMT, a taxpayer will compute both its CAMT liability and its regular federal tax liability and pay the higher of the two. To the extent that the CAMT liability exceeds the regular federal tax liability, a taxpayer will receive a credit (“CAMT credit”) which can be used against its regular federal tax liability in the future when the taxpayer is no longer subject to the CAMT. The CAMT credit does not expire. The CAMT is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, which means it will be applicable to the Company
6
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
starting in fiscal 2024. The excise tax on stock repurchases applies to stock repurchases occurring after December 31, 2022.
The Company continues to evaluate the impact the CAMT will have on its financial statements but expects that when applicable, the Company will be subject to the CAMT. The CAMT would impact the timing of the cash tax benefit the Company receives from the amortization of the additional tax basis received as a result of the Transaction Tax (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K). This change in timing would result in an increase to its annual cash tax liability which could be material. However, as noted above, if the Company pays CAMT it will receive a CAMT credit that can be carried forward indefinitely and applied against its regular federal tax liability in future years. The Company also expects to be subject to the excise tax for stock repurchases occurring after December 31, 2022, but the impact to the financial statements is not expected to be material.
NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSALS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
NOTE 3. INVENTORIES, NET
The Company’s inventories were comprised of the following:
As of September 30, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Licensed programming, including prepaid sports rights | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Owned programming | |||||||||||
| Total inventories, net | |||||||||||
| Less: current portion of inventories, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total non-current inventories, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Owned programming | |||||||||||
| Released | $ | $ | |||||||||
| In-process and other | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 4. FAIR VALUE
7
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities (“Level 2”); and (iii) inputs that require the entity to use its own assumptions about market participant assumptions (“Level 3”).
The following tables present information about financial assets and redeemable noncontrolling interests carried at fair value on a recurring basis:
| Fair value measurements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in equity securities | $ | $ | (a) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | ( | ( | (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value measurements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in equity securities | $ | $ | (a) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | ( | ( | (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
(a) | The investments categorized as Level 1 primarily represent an investment in equity securities of Flutter Entertainment plc (“Flutter”) with a readily determinable fair value (See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “Flutter” for additional information). | ||||
(b) | The Company utilizes both the market and income approach valuation techniques for its Level 3 fair value measures. Inputs to such measures could include observable market data obtained from independent sources such as broker quotes and recent market transactions for similar assets. It is the Company’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs in the measurement of its Level 3 fair value measurements. To the extent observable inputs are not available, the Company utilizes unobservable inputs based upon the assumptions market participants would use in valuing the redeemable noncontrolling interests. Examples of utilized unobservable inputs are future cash flows and long-term growth rates. | ||||
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
The redeemable noncontrolling interests recorded are put rights held by minority shareholders in Credible Labs Inc. (“Credible”) and an entertainment production company.
8
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests classified as Level 3 measurements were as follows:
For the three months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Acquisitions(a) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion and other | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| End of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
(a) | The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily due to the acquisition of an entertainment production company. | ||||
The Credible minority put right will become exercisable in fiscal 2025. The put right held by the entertainment production company’s minority shareholder will become exercisable in fiscal 2027.
Financial Instruments
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments exclusive of borrowings, such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and investments, accounted for using the measurement alternative method, approximates fair value.
As of September 30, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Borrowings | |||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
Fair value is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market (a Level 1 measurement).
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions. The Company has deposits held with banks that exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and, therefore, bear minimal credit risk.
Generally, the Company does not require collateral to secure receivables. As of September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, the Company had no customers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s receivables.
NOTE 5. BORROWINGS
9
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Stock Repurchase Program
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has authorized a $4 billion stock repurchase program under which the Company can repurchase Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”) and Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”). The program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.
The Company repurchased approximately 8 million shares of Common Stock for approximately $250 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Repurchased shares are retired and reduce the number of shares issued and outstanding. The Company allocates the amount of the repurchase price over par value between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s remaining stock repurchase authorization was approximately $1.15 billion. Subsequent to September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 1.7 million shares of Common Stock for $50 million.
Dividends
The following table summarizes the dividends declared per share on both the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividend per share | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.25
NOTE 7. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has one equity plan, the Fox Corporation 2019 Shareholder Alignment Plan (See Note 12—Equity-Based Compensation in the 2022 Form 10-K).
The following table summarizes the Company’s equity-based compensation:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Intrinsic value of all settled equity-based awards | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit on settled equity-based awards | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s equity-based awards are settled in Class A Common Stock. As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s total estimated compensation cost, not yet recognized, related to non-vested equity awards held
10
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
by the Company’s employees was approximately $150 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period between and two years .
As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had approximately 6 million stock options outstanding. The computation of diluted earnings per share did not include stock options outstanding during each period presented if their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
Awards Vested and Granted
Restricted Stock Units
During the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, approximately 1.5 million and 2.0 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) vested and approximately 2.0 million and 1.6 million RSUs were granted, respectively. These RSUs generally vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period subject to participants’ continued employment with the Company.
Performance-Based Stock Options
During the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company granted approximately 4 three-year performance period if the market condition is met, and have a term of seven years thereafter.
NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
The Company has commitments under certain firm contractual arrangements (“firm commitments”) to make future payments. These firm commitments secure the future rights to various assets and services to be used in the normal course of operations. The total firm commitments and future debt payments as of September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022 were approximately $41 billion and $42 billion, respectively. The decrease from June 30, 2022 was primarily due to sports programming rights payments.
Contingencies
FOX News
The Company’s FOX News business and certain of its current and former employees have been subject to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex and race. The Company has resolved many of these claims and is contesting other claims in litigation. The Company has also received regulatory and investigative inquiries relating to these matters. To date, none of the amounts paid in settlements or reserved for pending or future claims is material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company. The amount of additional liability, if any, that may result from these or related matters cannot be estimated at this time. However, the Company does not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity
In connection with the separation of Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (“21CF”) and News Corporation in June 2013 (the “21CF News Corporation Separation”), 21CF agreed to indemnify News Corporation, on an after-tax basis, for payments made after the 21CF News Corporation Separation arising out of civil claims and investigations relating to phone hacking, illegal data access and inappropriate payments to public officials that occurred at subsidiaries of News Corporation before the 21CF News Corporation Separation, as well as legal and professional fees and expenses paid in connection with the related criminal matters, other than fees, expenses and costs relating to employees who are not (i) directors, officers or certain designated employees or (ii) with respect to civil matters, co-defendants with News Corporation (the “U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity”). In accordance with the Separation Agreement (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “The Distribution”), the Company assumed certain costs and liabilities related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity. The liability recorded in the
11
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Balance Sheets related to the indemnity was approximately $115 million and $65 million as of September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively. The increase in the liability recorded was attributable to an increase in the number of civil claims submitted in September 2022 in advance of the September 30, 2022 cutoff date set by the judge for this phase of the litigation.
Defamation and Disparagement Claims
From time to time, the Company and its news businesses, including FOX News Media and the FOX Television Stations, and their employees are subject to lawsuits alleging defamation or disparagement. These include lawsuits filed by Smartmatic USA Corp. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Smartmatic”) in February 2021 and Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Dominion”) in March 2021. The Company believes these lawsuits, including the Smartmatic and Dominion matters, are without merit and intends to defend against them vigorously. To date, none of the amounts the Company has paid in settlements of defamation or disparagement claims or reserved for pending or future claims is material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company. The amount of additional liability, if any, that may result from these or related matters cannot be estimated at this time. However, the Company does not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Other
The Company establishes an accrued liability for legal claims and indemnification claims when the Company determines that a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Once established, accruals are adjusted from time to time, as appropriate, in light of additional information. The amount of any loss ultimately incurred in relation to matters for which an accrual has been established may be higher or lower than the amounts accrued for such matters. Any fees, expenses, fines, penalties, judgments or settlements which might be incurred by the Company in connection with the various proceedings could affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. For the contingencies disclosed above for which there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, other than the accrual provided, the Company was unable to estimate the amount of loss or range of loss.
The Company’s operations are subject to tax primarily in various domestic jurisdictions and as a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by federal and state tax authorities. The Company believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of all pending tax matters and does not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of pending tax matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, future results of operations or liquidity. Each member of the 21CF consolidated group, which includes 21CF, the Company (prior to the Distribution (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “The Distribution”)) and 21CF’s other subsidiaries, is jointly and severally liable for the U.S. federal income and, in certain jurisdictions, state tax liabilities of each other member of the consolidated group. Consequently, the Company could be liable in the event any such liability is incurred, and not discharged, by any other member of the 21CF consolidated group. The tax matters agreement entered into in connection with the Separation (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “The Distribution”) requires 21CF and/or The Walt Disney Company to indemnify the Company for any such liability. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the Internal Revenue Service in amounts that the Company cannot quantify.
NOTE 9. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
12
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 10. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company is a news, sports and entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in the following segments:
•Cable Network Programming, which produces and licenses news and sports content distributed through traditional cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and telecommunication companies (“traditional MVPDs”), virtual multi-channel video programming distributors (“virtual MVPDs”) and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S.
•Television, which produces, acquires, markets and distributes programming through the FOX broadcast network, advertising supported video-on-demand (“AVOD”) service TUBI, 29 full power broadcast television stations, including 11 duopolies, and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S. Eighteen of the broadcast television stations are affiliated with the FOX Network, 10 are affiliated with MyNetworkTV and one is an independent station.
•Other, Corporate and Eliminations, which principally consists of the FOX Studio Lot, Credible, corporate overhead costs and intracompany eliminations. The FOX Studio Lot, located in Los Angeles, California, provides television and film production services along with office space, studio operation services and includes all operations of the facility. Credible is a U.S. consumer finance marketplace.
The Company’s operating segments have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based on operating activities. The Company evaluates performance based upon several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment operating income before depreciation and amortization, or Segment EBITDA. Due to the integrated nature of these operating segments, estimates and judgments are made in allocating certain assets, revenues and expenses.
Segment EBITDA is defined as Revenues less Operating expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Segment EBITDA does not include: Amortization of cable distribution investments, Depreciation and amortization, Impairment and restructuring charges, Interest expense, net, Other, net and Income tax expense. Management believes that Segment EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business segments because it is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to the Company’s businesses.
13
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables set forth the Company’s Revenues and Segment EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cable Network Programming | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, Corporate and Eliminations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment EBITDA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cable Network Programming | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, Corporate and Eliminations | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cable distribution investments | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues by Segment by Component
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cable Network Programming | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate fee | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Cable Network Programming revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate fee | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Television revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, Corporate and Eliminations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
14
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cable Network Programming | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, Corporate and Eliminations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total depreciation and amortization | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cable Network Programming | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Television | |||||||||||
| Other, Corporate and Eliminations | |||||||||||
| Investments | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
NOTE 11. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Interest expense, net
The following table sets forth the components of Interest expense, net included in the Statements of Operations:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
15
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Other, net
The following table sets forth the components of Other, net included in the Statements of Operations:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.K Newspaper Matters Indemnity(a) | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Net gains on investments in equity securities(b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Transaction costs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other, net | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
(a) | See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies under the heading “U.K. Newspaper Matters Indemnity.” | ||||
(b) | Net gains on investments in equity securities for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 included the gains related to the change in fair value of the Company’s investment in Flutter (See Note 4—Fair Value). | ||||
Other Non-Current Assets
The following table sets forth the components of Other non-current assets included in the Balance Sheets:
As of September 30, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
Investments(a) | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease assets | |||||||||||
| Grantor Trust | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total other non-current assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
(a) | Includes investments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis of $ | ||||
16
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
The following table sets forth the components of Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities included in the Balance Sheets:
As of September 30, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Programming payable | |||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
Other Liabilities
The following table sets forth the components of Other liabilities included in the Balance Sheets:
As of September 30, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Accrued non-current pension/postretirement liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total other liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
Future Performance Obligations
As of September 30, 2022, approximately $4.0 billion of revenues are expected to be recognized primarily over the next one to three years. The Company’s most significant remaining performance obligations relate to affiliate contracts, sports advertising contracts and content licensing contracts with fixed fees. The amount disclosed does not include (i) revenues related to performance obligations that are part of a contract whose original expected duration is one year or less, (ii) revenues that are in the form of sales- or usage-based royalties and (iii) revenues related to performance obligations for which the Company elects to recognize revenue in the amount it has a right to invoice.
17
FOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Supplemental Information
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Supplemental cash flows information | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Supplemental information on acquisitions | |||||||||||
| Fair value of assets acquired, excluding cash | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash paid | ( | ||||||||||
| Fair value of equity instruments consideration | |||||||||||
| Issuance of subsidiary common units | ( | ||||||||||
| Fair value of equity instruments consideration | $ | $ | |||||||||
NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
18
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Readers should carefully review this document and the other documents filed by Fox Corporation (“FOX” or the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This section should be read together with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, (“fiscal”) 2022 as filed with the SEC on August 12, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”). The unaudited consolidated financial statements are referred to as the “Financial Statements” herein.
INTRODUCTION
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to help provide an understanding of the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. This discussion is organized as follows:
•Overview of the Company’s Business—This section provides a general description of the Company’s businesses, as well as developments that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 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 months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. This analysis is presented on both a consolidated and a segment basis. In addition, a brief description is provided of significant transactions and events that impact the comparability of the results being analyzed.
•Liquidity and Capital Resources—This section provides an analysis of the Company’s cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, as well as a discussion of the Company’s outstanding debt and commitments, both firm and contingent, that existed as of September 30, 2022. Included in the discussion of outstanding debt is a discussion of the amount of financial capacity available to fund the Company’s future commitments and obligations, as well as a discussion of other financing arrangements.
•Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements—This section provides a description of the use of forward-looking information appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Such information is based on management’s current expectations about future events which are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties. Refer to Part I., Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the 2022 Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk factors applicable to the Company.
OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS
The Company is a news, sports and entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in the following segments:
•Cable Network Programming, which produces and licenses news and sports content distributed through traditional cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and telecommunication companies (“traditional MVPDs”), virtual multi-channel video programming distributors (“virtual MVPDs”) and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S.
•Television, which produces, acquires, markets and distributes programming through the FOX broadcast network, advertising-supported video-on-demand (“AVOD”) service TUBI, 29 full power broadcast television stations, including 11 duopolies, and other digital platforms, primarily in the U.S. Eighteen of the broadcast television stations are affiliated with the FOX Network, 10 are affiliated with MyNetworkTV and one is an independent station.
•Other, Corporate and Eliminations, which principally consists of the FOX Studio Lot, Credible Labs Inc. (“Credible”), corporate overhead costs and intracompany eliminations. The FOX Studio Lot, located in Los Angeles, California, provides television and film production services along with office space, studio operation services and includes all operations of the facility. Credible is a U.S. consumer finance marketplace.
19
Other Business Developments
On October 14, 2022, the Company announced that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) has formed a special committee composed of independent members of the Board (the “Special Committee”) to begin exploring a potential combination with News Corporation. The Special Committee has not made any determination at this time, and there can be no certainty that the Company will engage in such a transaction.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations—For the three months ended September 30, 2022 versus the three months ended September 30, 2021.
The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except %) | Better/(Worse) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate fee | $ | 1,711 | $ | 1,667 | $ | 44 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | 1,220 | 1,130 | 90 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 261 | 248 | 13 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 3,192 | 3,045 | 147 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (1,656) | (1,571) | (85) | (5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | (448) | (415) | (33) | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (99) | (79) | (20) | (25) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (68) | (97) | 29 | 30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | (76) | 69 | (145) | ** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 845 | 952 | (107) | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (232) | (244) | 12 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 613 | 708 | (95) | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (8) | (7) | (1) | (14) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders | $ | 605 | $ | 701 | $ | (96) | (14) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ** | not meaningful | |||||||||||||
Overview
The Company’s revenues increased 5% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, due to higher affiliate fee, advertising and other revenues. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily due to higher average rates per subscriber and higher fees received from television stations that are affiliated with the FOX Network, led by contractual rate increases on existing affiliate agreements and from affiliate agreement renewals, partially offset by a lower average number of subscribers. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily attributable to higher political advertising revenue at FOX Television Stations principally due to the November 2022 U.S. midterm elections, higher pricing at the FOX Network and FOX News Media and growth at TUBI, partially offset by lower ratings at the FOX Network. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to higher FOX Nation subscription revenues and the impact of acquisitions of entertainment production companies in fiscal 2022, partially offset by the timing of productions at our animation production company.
Operating expenses increased 5% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to increased investment in digital growth initiatives at TUBI and FOX News Media, higher sports programming rights amortization and the impact of acquisitions of
20
entertainment production companies in fiscal 2022, partially offset by lower marketing costs at FOX Entertainment.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies and higher employee related costs.
Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization expense increased 25% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to increased spending as a result of digital initiatives and the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies.
Other, net—See Note 11—Additional Financial Information to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Other, net.”
Income tax expense—The Company’s tax provision and related effective tax rate of 27% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was higher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes.
The Company’s tax provision and related effective tax rate of 26% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was higher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes and other permanent items.
Net income—Net income decreased 13% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to the absence of gains on the disposition of assets, an increase in the U.K Newspaper Matters Indemnity (See Note 11—Additional Financial Information to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Other, net”), a lower gain recognized on the change in fair value of the Company's investment in Flutter Entertainment plc and lower Segment EBITDA (as defined below) at the Cable segment, partially offset by higher Segment EBITDA at the Television segment.
Segment Analysis
The Company’s operating segments have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based on operating activities. The Company evaluates performance based upon several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment operating income before depreciation and amortization, or Segment EBITDA. Due to the integrated nature of these operating segments, estimates and judgments are made in allocating certain assets, revenues and expenses.
Segment EBITDA is defined as Revenues less Operating expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Segment EBITDA does not include: Amortization of cable distribution investments, Depreciation and amortization, Impairment and restructuring charges, Interest expense, net, Other, net and Income tax expense. Management believes that Segment EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business segments because it is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to the Company’s businesses.
The following tables set forth the Company’s Revenues and Segment EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except %) | Better/(Worse) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cable Network Programming | $ | 1,431 | $ | 1,416 | $ | 15 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | 1,714 | 1,581 | 133 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, Corporate and Eliminations | 47 | 48 | (1) | (2) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 3,192 | $ | 3,045 | $ | 147 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
21
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except %) | Better/(Worse) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment EBITDA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cable Network Programming | $ | 742 | $ | 774 | $ | (32) | (4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | 409 | 359 | 50 | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, Corporate and Eliminations | (59) | (69) | 10 | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(a) | $ | 1,092 | $ | 1,064 | $ | 28 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) | For a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. | ||||
Cable Network Programming (45% and 47% of the Company’s revenues for the first three months of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively)
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except %) | Better/(Worse) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate fee | $ | 1,029 | $ | 1,026 | $ | 3 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | 316 | 311 | 5 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 86 | 79 | 7 | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,431 | 1,416 | 15 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (564) | (523) | (41) | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | (129) | (124) | (5) | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | 5 | (1) | (20) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment EBITDA | $ | 742 | $ | 774 | $ | (32) | (4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues at the Cable Network Programming segment increased 1% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher advertising and other revenues. Affiliate fee revenue remained relatively consistent as higher average rates per subscriber, led by contractual rate increases on existing affiliate agreements and from affiliate agreement renewals, were offset by a lower average number of subscribers. The decrease in the average number of subscribers was due to a reduction in traditional MVPD subscribers, partially offset by an increase in virtual MVPD subscribers. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to higher pricing partially offset by lower ratings and digital advertising revenue at FOX News Media, and the absence of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (“CONCACAF”) Gold Cup at the national sports networks during the current year quarter. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to higher FOX Nation subscription revenues.
Cable Network Programming Segment EBITDA decreased 4% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, as the revenue increases noted above were more than offset by higher expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher costs associated with increased investment in digital growth initiatives and breaking news coverage at FOX News Media, partially offset by lower sports programming rights amortization and production costs, including the absence of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at the national sports networks during the current year quarter.
22
Television (54% and 52% of the Company’s revenues for the first three months of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively)
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except %) | Better/(Worse) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 905 | $ | 819 | $ | 86 | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate fee | 682 | 641 | 41 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 127 | 121 | 6 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,714 | 1,581 | 133 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (1,071) | (1,026) | (45) | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | (234) | (196) | (38) | (19) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment EBITDA | $ | 409 | $ | 359 | $ | 50 | 14 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues at the Television segment increased 8% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, due to higher advertising, affiliate fee and other revenues. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to higher political advertising revenue at FOX Television Stations principally due to the November 2022 U.S. midterm elections, growth at TUBI, and higher sports pricing and the broadcast of additional Major League Baseball (“MLB”) regular season games partially offset by lower ratings at the FOX Network. The increase in affiliate fee revenue was primarily due to higher fees received from television stations that are affiliated with the FOX Network and higher average rates per subscriber partially offset by a lower average number of subscribers at the Company’s owned and operated television stations. The increase in other revenues was primarily due to the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies, partially offset by the timing of productions at our animation production company.
Television Segment EBITDA increased 14% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, as the revenue increases noted above were partially offset by higher expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to increased digital investment at TUBI, higher sports programming rights amortization principally due to the renewed MLB contract and the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies. Partially offsetting this increase were lower marketing and production costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the impact of the fiscal 2022 acquisitions of entertainment production companies and higher employee related costs.
Other, Corporate and Eliminations (1% of the Company’s revenues for the first three months of fiscal 2023 and 2022)
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except %) | Better/(Worse) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 47 | $ | 48 | $ | (1) | (2) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (21) | (22) | 1 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | (85) | (95) | 10 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment EBITDA | $ | (59) | $ | (69) | $ | 10 | 14 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues at the Other, Corporate and Eliminations segment for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 include revenues generated by Credible and the operation of the FOX Studio Lot for third parties. Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 include advertising and promotional expenses at Credible. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 primarily relate to employee costs and professional fees and the costs of operating the FOX Studio Lot.
23
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Revenues less Operating expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA does not include: Amortization of cable distribution investments, Depreciation and amortization, Impairment and restructuring charges, Interest expense, net, Other, net and Income tax expense.
Management believes that information about Adjusted EBITDA assists all users of the Company’s Financial Statements by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company’s portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect Net income, thus providing insight into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results. Adjusted EBITDA provides management, investors and equity analysts a measure to analyze the operating performance of the Company’s business and its enterprise value against historical data and competitors’ data, although historical results, including Adjusted EBITDA, may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences).
Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items, such as depreciation and amortization and impairment charges, which are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
The following table reconciles Net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021:
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 613 | $ | 708 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Add | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 99 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 68 | 97 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 76 | (69) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 232 | 244 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,092 | $ | 1,064 | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth the computation of Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021.
For the three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 3,192 | $ | 3,045 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (1,656) | (1,571) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | (448) | (415) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cable distribution investments | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,092 | $ | 1,064 | |||||||||||||||||||
24
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Current Financial Condition
The Company has approximately $5.0 billion of cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2022 and an unused five-year $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (See Note 5—Borrowings to the accompanying Financial Statements). The Company also has access to the worldwide capital markets, subject to market conditions. As of September 30, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the revolving credit facility, and it does not anticipate any noncompliance with such covenants.
The principal uses of cash that affect the Company’s liquidity position include the following: the acquisition of rights and related payments for entertainment and sports programming; operational expenditures including production costs; marketing and promotional expenses; expenses related to broadcasting the Company’s programming; employee and facility costs; capital expenditures; acquisitions; interest and dividend payments; debt repayments; and stock repurchases.
The Company has evaluated, and expects to continue to evaluate, possible acquisitions and dispositions of certain businesses and assets. Such transactions may be material and may involve cash, the Company’s securities or the assumption of additional indebtedness.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was as follows (in millions):
| For the three months ended September 30, | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 270 | $ | 29 | ||||||||||
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, was primarily due to lower sports rights and income tax payments.
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was as follows (in millions):
| For the three months ended September 30, | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (118) | $ | (75) | ||||||||||
The increase in net cash used in investing activities during the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures and higher investments in equity securities.
Net cash used in financing activities for three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2022 was as follows (in millions):
| For the three months ended September 30, | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (402) | $ | (429) | ||||||||||
The decrease in net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2022, was primarily due to the sale of a subsidiary non-controlling interest.
Stock Repurchase Program
See Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Stock Repurchase Program.”
25
Dividends
The Company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.25 per share on both the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock during the three months ended September 30, 2022, which was paid on September 28, 2022 with a record date for determining dividend entitlements of August 31, 2022.
Debt Instruments
Borrowings include senior notes (See Note 9—Borrowings in the 2022 Form 10-K under the heading “Public Debt – Senior Notes Issued”).
Ratings of the Senior Notes
The following table summarizes the Company’s credit ratings as of September 30, 2022:
| Rating Agency | Senior Debt | Outlook | ||||||||||||
| Moody’s | Baa2 | Stable | ||||||||||||
| Standard & Poor’s | BBB | Stable | ||||||||||||
Revolving Credit Agreement
The Company has an unused five-year $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a maturity date of March 2024 (See Note 5—Borrowings to the accompanying Financial Statements).
Commitments and Contingencies
See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying Financial Statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the accompanying Financial Statements under the heading “Recently Adopted, Recently Issued Accounting Guidance and Other.”
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any statements regarding (i) future earnings, revenues or other measures of the Company’s financial performance; (ii) the Company’s plans, strategies and objectives for future operations; (iii) proposed new programming or other offerings; (iv) future economic conditions or performance; (v) the exploration of a potential combination with News Corporation; and (vi) assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “outlook” or any other similar words.
Although the Company’s management believes that the expectations reflected in any of the Company’s forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any forward-looking statements. The Company’s future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed or incorporated by reference in our filings with the SEC. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those estimates or projections contained in the Company’s forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, government regulation, economic, strategic, political and social conditions and the following factors:
•evolving technologies and distribution platforms and changes in consumer behavior as consumers seek more control over when, where and how they consume content, and related impacts on advertisers and MVPDs;
•declines in advertising expenditures due to various factors such as the economic prospects of advertisers or the economy, major sports events and election cycles, evolving technologies and
26
distribution platforms and related changes in consumer behavior and shifts in advertisers’ expenditures, the evolving market for AVOD advertising campaigns, and audience measurement methodologies’ ability to accurately reflect actual viewership levels;
•further declines in the number of subscribers to MVPD services;
•the failure to enter into or renew on favorable terms, or at all, affiliation or carriage agreements or arrangements through which the Company makes its content available for viewing through online video platforms;
•the impact of COVID-19 and other widespread health emergencies or pandemics and measures to contain their spread and related weak macroeconomic conditions and increased market volatility;
•the impact of COVID-19 and other widespread health emergencies or pandemics specifically on the Company, including content disruptions that negatively affect the timing, volume or popularity of the Company’s programming, particularly sports programming, and potential non-cash impairment charges resulting from significant declines in the Company’s estimated revenues or the expected popularity of the Company’s programming;
•the highly competitive nature of the industry in which the Company’s businesses operate;
•the popularity of the Company’s content, including special sports events; and the continued popularity of the sports franchises, leagues and teams for which the Company has acquired programming rights;
•the Company’s ability to renew programming rights, particularly sports programming rights, on sufficiently favorable terms, or at all;
•damage to the Company’s brands or reputation;
•the inability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Company’s strategic investments and acquisitions, and the effects of any combination or significant acquisition, disposition or other similar transaction involving the Company;
•the loss of key personnel;
•labor disputes, including labor disputes involving professional sports leagues whose games or events the Company has the right to broadcast;
•lower than expected valuations associated with the Company’s reporting units, indefinite-lived intangible assets, investments or long-lived assets;
•a degradation, failure or misuse of the Company’s network and information systems and other technology relied on by the Company that causes a disruption of services or improper disclosure of personal data or other confidential information;
•content piracy and signal theft and the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights;
•the failure to comply with laws, regulations, rules, industry standards or contractual obligations relating to privacy and personal data protection;
•changes in tax, federal communications or other laws, regulations, practices or the interpretations thereof (including changes in legislation currently being considered);
•the impact of any investigations or fines from governmental authorities, including Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rules and policies and FCC decisions regarding revocation, renewal or grant of station licenses, waivers and other matters;
•the failure or destruction of satellites or transmitter facilities the Company depends on to distribute its programming;
•unfavorable litigation or investigation results that require the Company to pay significant amounts or lead to onerous operating procedures;
•changes in GAAP or other applicable accounting standards and policies;
•the Company’s ability to secure additional capital on acceptable terms;
27
•the impact of any payments the Company is required to make or liabilities it is required to assume under the Separation Agreement (as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K) and the indemnification arrangements entered into in connection with the Separation and the Distribution (each as defined in Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the 2022 Form 10-K); and
•the other risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I., Item 1A. ‘Risk Factors’ in the 2022 Form 10-K.
Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date hereof, and forward-looking statements in documents that are incorporated by reference hereto speak only as of the date of those documents. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement made herein or to report any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in our expectations, except as required by law.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in the market risks reported in the 2022 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
28
PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of FOX under the heading “Contingencies” for a discussion of the Company’s legal proceedings.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2022.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Below is a summary of the Company’s repurchases of its Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), during the three months ended September 30, 2022:
Total number of shares purchased(a) | Average price paid per share(b) | Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program(b)(c) | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| July 1, 2022 – July 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | 1,039,283 | $ | 33.68 | ||||||||||||||
| Class B Common Stock | 481,915 | 31.13 | |||||||||||||||
| August 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | 1,793,674 | 35.25 | |||||||||||||||
| Class B Common Stock | 814,601 | 32.56 | |||||||||||||||
| September 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | 2,296,808 | 33.43 | |||||||||||||||
| Class B Common Stock | 1,079,100 | 31.02 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | 5,129,765 | 34.11 | |||||||||||||||
| Class B Common Stock | 2,375,616 | 31.57 | |||||||||||||||
| 7,505,381 | $ | 1,150 | |||||||||||||||
(a) | The Company has not made any purchases of Common Stock other than in connection with the publicly announced stock repurchase program described below. | ||||
(b) | These amounts exclude any fees, commissions or other costs associated with the share repurchases. | ||||
(c) | The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a $4 billion stock repurchase program, under which the Company can repurchase Common Stock. The program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. | ||||
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable
29
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits.
| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
| 32.1 | ||||||||
| 101 | The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021; (ii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 (unaudited) and June 30, 2022 (audited); (iv) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021; (v) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021; and (vi) Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.* | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | |||||||
* | Filed herewith. | |||||||||||||
** | Furnished herewith. | |||||||||||||
30
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Fox Corporation (Registrant) | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Steven Tomsic | ||||||||||
| Steven Tomsic | |||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
| Date: November 1, 2022 | |||||||||||
31
Exhibit 31.1
Chief Executive Officer Certification
Required by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
I, Lachlan K. Murdoch, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Fox Corporation;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| November 1, 2022 | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Lachlan K. Murdoch | |||||||
| Lachlan K. Murdoch | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
Exhibit 31.2
Chief Financial Officer Certification
Required by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
I, Steven Tomsic, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Fox Corporation;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| November 1, 2022 | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Steven Tomsic | |||||||
| Steven Tomsic | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Fox Corporation on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, the undersigned officers of Fox Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of our knowledge:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Fox Corporation.
| November 1, 2022 | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Lachlan K. Murdoch | |||||||
| Lachlan K. Murdoch | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Steven Tomsic | |||||||
| Steven Tomsic | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||