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8-K - 8-K - TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FOX, INC.d490748d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

21ST CENTURY FOX REPORTS FIRST QUARTER INCOME FROM CONTINUING

OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE OF $1.30 BILLION AND TOTAL

SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND

AMORTIZATION OF $1.79 BILLION ON 8% REVENUE GROWTH

NEW YORK, NY, November 8, 2017 – Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (“21st Century Fox” or the “Company” -- NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX) today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

The Company reported quarterly income from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders of $839 million ($0.45 per share), as compared to $827 million ($0.44 per share) reported in the prior year quarter. Excluding the net income effects of Impairment and restructuring charges, Other, net and adjustments to Equity earnings of affiliates1 adjusted quarterly earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders2 was $0.49 compared to the adjusted result of $0.51 for the same quarter of the prior year.

The Company reported total quarterly revenues of $7.00 billion, a $496 million, or 8%, increase from the $6.51 billion of revenues reported in the prior year quarter. This increase reflects revenue growth reported across all operating segments, led by higher affiliate revenues at both the Cable Network Programming and Television segments and higher content revenues at the Filmed Entertainment segment.

Quarterly income from continuing operations before income tax expense of $1.30 billion increased 5% over the $1.24 billion reported in the prior year quarter. Quarterly total segment operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”)3 of $1.79 billion was equal to the amount reported in the prior year quarter. Higher contributions from the Cable Network Programming segment were offset by lower contributions from the Company’s Television and Filmed Entertainment segments.

Commenting on the results, Executive Chairmen Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch said:

“The Company’s double-digit gains in affiliate revenues demonstrate our strength in the dynamic global market for distinctive video brands and content, across both established distributors and new entrants. We delivered top-line growth at all of our businesses, backed by stand-out storytelling, sports and news, as well as a product focus that will drive greater consumption and compelling opportunities for financial returns on our content investment. Our solid first quarter performance puts us on track to achieve our overall financial and operational objectives for this fiscal year.”

 

 

1

See footnote (a) on page 12 for a description of the adjustments to Equity earnings from affiliates.

2

See page 12 for a reconciliation of reported income and earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders to adjusted income and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders, which may be considered non-GAAP financial measures.

3

Total segment OIBDA may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See page 10 for a description of total segment OIBDA and for a reconciliation from income from continuing operations before income tax expense to total segment OIBDA.

 

Page 1


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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

REVIEW OF SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2017     2016  
     US $ Millions  

Revenues:

    

Cable Network Programming

   $ 4,196     $ 3,810  

Television

     1,065       1,038  

Filmed Entertainment

     1,963       1,907  

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

     (222     (249
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 7,002     $ 6,506  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment OIBDA:

    

Cable Network Programming

   $ 1,511     $ 1,384  

Television

     122       191  

Filmed Entertainment

     256       311  

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

     (98     (95
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment OIBDA(a)

   $             1,791     $             1,791  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Total segment OIBDA may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See page 10 for a description of total segment OIBDA and for a reconciliation from income from continuing operations before income tax expense to total segment OIBDA.

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

CABLE NETWORK PROGRAMMING

Cable Network Programming quarterly segment OIBDA increased 9% to $1.51 billion, driven by a 10% revenue increase on higher affiliate and advertising revenues partially offset by an 11% increase in expenses. The increase in expenses was primarily due to higher global sports programming costs reflecting the inaugural broadcasts of Big Ten college football at FS1 and Argentine Football Association matches at Fox Networks Group International (“FNG International”) as well as contractual rights increases for Major League Baseball at the domestic sports channels and higher CONMEBOL soccer rights at FNG International.

Domestic affiliate revenue increased 11% driven by contractual rate increases across all of our domestic brands. Domestic advertising revenue increased 3% over the prior year period led by growth at the domestic sports channels. Domestic OIBDA contributions increased 11% over the prior year quarter driven by higher contributions from Fox News, FX Networks and the regional sports networks.

International affiliate revenue increased 11% driven by rate and subscriber growth at both FNG International and STAR India. International advertising revenue increased 10% led by double digit growth at STAR India and continued growth at FNG International. International OIBDA contributions were similar to the prior year quarter as higher contributions at STAR India were offset by lower contributions at FNG International where higher entertainment and sports programming costs more than offset the higher reported revenues.

TELEVISION

Television reported quarterly segment OIBDA of $122 million, a decrease of 36% compared to the prior year quarter. Quarterly segment revenues were 3% higher than the corresponding period in the prior year due to higher retransmission consent revenue and higher FOX Broadcast Network sports advertising revenues being partially offset by lower cyclical political advertising revenues at the TV stations. The decrease in segment OIBDA was primarily driven by higher contractual sports programming costs at the FOX Broadcast Network, including a higher volume of college football and National Football League games broadcast in the current year quarter, that more than offset the higher revenues.

FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

Filmed Entertainment generated quarterly segment OIBDA of $256 million, a $55 million decrease from the $311 million reported in the prior year quarter. The OIBDA decrease in the current quarter was driven by lower film studio results primarily due to lower worldwide TV contributions reflecting last year’s pay TV licensing of X-Men: Days of Future Past and the free TV licensing of The Martian with no comparable titles licensed in the current quarter. The film studio decline more than offset higher television production contributions from higher domestic syndication revenues that include the licensing of Futurama. Quarterly segment revenues increased $56 million to $1.96 billion, primarily reflecting higher syndication revenue from television productions partially offset by lower film studio pay and free tv licensing revenues.

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

REVIEW OF EQUITY EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES’ RESULTS

The Company’s share of equity earnings of affiliates is as follows:

 

           

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
         % Owned                  2017                     2016          
            US $ Millions  

Sky

     39%(1)      $ 110     $ 97  

Hulu

     30%         (62     (39

Other equity affiliates

     Various(2)        12       (23
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity earnings of affiliates

      $             60     $             35  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (1)

Please refer to Sky plc’s (“Sky”) earnings releases for detailed information.

  (2)

Primarily comprised of Endemol Shine Group and Tata Sky.

Quarterly equity earnings of affiliates were $60 million as compared to $35 million reported in the same period a year-ago. The $25 million increase primarily reflects improved results reported at Endemol Shine Group and higher equity earnings reported at Sky partially offset by higher equity losses at Hulu.

OTHER ITEMS

Pending Acquisition of the Remaining Shares of Sky

The Company’s pending acquisition of the public shares of Sky has been cleared on public interest and plurality grounds in all of the markets in which Sky operates except the UK, including Austria, Germany, Italy and the Republic of Ireland. The acquisition has also received unconditional clearance by all relevant competition authorities. The transaction is subject to certain other customary closing conditions and the requisite approval of Sky shareholders unaffiliated with the Company. On September 20, 2017, the U.K. Secretary of State referred the proposed transaction to the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) for a second phase review on grounds of media plurality and broadcasting standards. Absent further delays, the transaction is expected to close by June 30, 2018.

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

To access a copy of this press release through the Internet, access 21st Century Fox’s corporate Web site located at http://www.21cf.com.

Audio from 21st Century Fox’s conference call with analysts on the first quarter results can be heard live on the Internet at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today. To listen to the call, visit http://www.21cf.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors. More detailed information about these and other factors that could affect future results is contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The “forward-looking statements” included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and we do not have any obligation to publicly update any “forward-looking statements” to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

 

    CONTACTS:

  

    Reed Nolte, Investor Relations

   Julie Henderson, Press Inquiries

    212-852-7092

    Mike Petrie, Investor Relations

    212-852-7130

  

310-369-0773

Nathaniel Brown, Press Inquiries

212-852-7746

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2017     2016  
     US $ Millions, except
per share amounts
 

Revenues

   $ 7,002     $ 6,506  

Operating expenses

     (4,381     (3,915

Selling, general and administrative

     (848     (815

Depreciation and amortization

     (142     (135

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (21     (137

Equity earnings of affiliates

     60       35  

Interest expense, net

     (313     (300

Interest income

     10       9  

Other, net

     (72     (11
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

     1,295       1,237  

Income tax expense

     (391     (343
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     904       894  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     16       (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     920       888  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (65     (67
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders

   $             855     $             821  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares:

     1,853       1,863  

Income from continuing operations attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders per share:

   $ 0.45     $ 0.44  

Net income attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders per share:

   $ 0.46     $ 0.44  

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     September 30,
2017
    June 30,
2017
 

Assets:

     US $ Millions  

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,901     $ 6,163  

Receivables, net

     6,619       6,477  

Inventories, net

     2,856       3,101  

Other

     622       545  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     16,998       16,286  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

    

Receivables, net

     684       543  

Investments

     4,066       3,902  

Inventories, net

     8,019       7,452  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     1,779       1,781  

Intangible assets, net

     6,289       6,574  

Goodwill

     12,779       12,792  

Other non-current assets

     1,414       1,394  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $             52,028     $             50,724  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity:

    

Current liabilities:

    

Borrowings

   $ 707     $ 457  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     3,966       3,451  

Participations, residuals and royalties payable

     1,604       1,657  

Program rights payable

     1,228       1,093  

Deferred revenue

     671       580  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     8,176       7,238  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

    

Borrowings

     19,142       19,456  

Other liabilities

     3,654       3,616  

Deferred income taxes

     2,801       2,782  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

     699       694  

Commitments and contingencies

    

Equity:

    

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value

     11       11  

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value

     8       8  

Additional paid-in capital

     12,345       12,406  

Retained earnings

     5,816       5,315  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,876     (2,018
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders’ equity

     16,304       15,722  

Noncontrolling interests

     1,252       1,216  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     17,556       16,938  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $             52,028      $             50,724  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017     2016  
     US $ Millions  

Operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 920     $ 888  

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

     16       (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     904       894  

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     142       135  

Amortization of cable distribution investments

     18       15  

Impairment and restructuring charges

     21       137  

Equity-based compensation

     27       42  

Equity earnings of affiliates

     (60     (35

Cash distributions received from affiliates

     5       2  

Other, net

     72       11  

Deferred income taxes and other taxes

     (11     (12

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

    

Receivables

     (287     86  

Inventories net of program rights payable

     (183     (294

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (100     (22

Other changes, net

     200       31  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

     748       990  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

    

Property, plant and equipment

     (81     (53

Investments in equity affiliates

     (101     (6

Proceeds from dispositions, net

     362       1  

Other investments

     (29     (64
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     151       (122
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

    

Borrowings

     -       37  

Repayment of borrowings

     (67     (105

Repurchase of Shares

     -       (467

Dividends paid and distributions

     (67     (54

Other financing activities, net

     (32     (29
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations

     (166     (618
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations

     (9     (6

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     724       244  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     6,163       4,424  

Exchange movement on cash balances

     14       13  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $             6,901     $             4,681  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2017     2016  
     US $ Millions  

Revenues:

    

Cable Network Programming

   $ 4,196     $ 3,810  

Television

     1,065       1,038  

Filmed Entertainment

     1,963       1,907  

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

     (222     (249
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 7,002     $ 6,506  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment OIBDA:

    

Cable Network Programming

   $ 1,511     $ 1,384  

Television

     122       191  

Filmed Entertainment

     256       311  

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

     (98     (95
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment OIBDA(a)

   $ 1,791     $ 1,791  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

    

Cable Network Programming

   $ 85     $ 82  

Television

     27       29  

Filmed Entertainment

     23       20  

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

     7       4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 142     $ 135  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
CONSOLIDATED REVENUES BY COMPONENT     

Affiliate fee

   $ 3,236     $ 2,923  

Advertising

     1,623       1,591  

Content

     2,019       1,869  

Other

     124       123  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $             7,002     $             6,506  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Total segment OIBDA may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See page 10 for a description of total segment OIBDA and for a reconciliation from income from continuing operations before income tax expense to total segment OIBDA.

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

NOTE 1 – TOTAL SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on segment operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”), and management uses total segment OIBDA as a measure of the performance of operating businesses separate from non-operating factors. Total segment OIBDA may be considered a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements. This measure excludes items, such as depreciation and amortization as well as impairment charges, that are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance.

Management believes that total segment OIBDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business and provides investors and equity analysts a measure to analyze operating performance of the Company’s business and enterprise value against historical data and competitors’ data. Segment OIBDA is the primary measure used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to the Company’s business segments.

Segment OIBDA does not include depreciation and amortization and the amortization of cable distribution investments and eliminates the variable effect across all business segments of depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense includes the depreciation of property and equipment, as well as amortization of finite-lived intangible assets. Amortization of cable distribution investments represents a reduction against revenues over the term of a carriage arrangement and, as such, it is excluded from segment operating income before depreciation and amortization.

In addition, total segment OIBDA does not include: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, Impairment and restructuring charges, Equity earnings of affiliates, Interest expense, net, Interest income, Other, net, Income tax expense and Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

The following table reconciles income from continuing operations before income tax expense to total segment OIBDA:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2017     2016  
     US $ Millions  

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

   $ 1,295     $ 1,237  

Add:

    

Amortization of cable distribution investments

     18       15  

Depreciation and amortization

     142       135  

Impairment and restructuring charges

     21       137  

Equity earnings of affiliates

     (60     (35

Interest expense, net

     313       300  

Interest income

     (10     (9

Other, net

     72       11  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment OIBDA

   $             1,791     $             1,791  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2017  
     US $ Millions  
     Revenues      Operating and
Selling, general
and administrative
expenses
     Add:
Amortization

of cable
distribution
investments
     Segment OIBDA  

Cable Network Programming

   $ 4,196      $ (2,703)      $ 18      $ 1,511  

Television

     1,065        (943)        -        122  

Filmed Entertainment

     1,963        (1,707)        -        256  

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

     (222)        124        -        (98)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated Total

   $             7,002      $             (5,229)      $             18      $             1,791  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  
     US $ Millions  
     Revenues      Operating and
Selling, general
and administrative
expenses
     Add:
Amortization

of cable
distribution
investments
     Segment OIBDA  

Cable Network Programming

   $ 3,810      $ (2,441)      $ 15      $ 1,384  

Television

     1,038        (847)        -        191  

Filmed Entertainment

     1,907        (1,596)        -        311  

Other, Corporate and Eliminations

     (249)        154        -        (95)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated Total

   $             6,506      $             (4,730)      $             15      $             1,791  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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EARNINGS RELEASE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

NOTE 2 – ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED EPS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

The calculation of income and earnings per share (“EPS”) from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders excluding the net income effects of Impairment and restructuring charges, Equity affiliate adjustments and Other, net and tax provision effects (“adjusted income and diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders”) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what type of events warrant adjustment. Adjusted income and diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders are not measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles and should not be construed as substitutes for consolidated net income and EPS as determined under GAAP as a measure of performance. However, management uses these measures in comparing the Company’s historical performance and believes that they provide meaningful and comparable information to investors to assist in their analysis of our performance relative to prior periods and our competitors.

The Company uses adjusted income and diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders to evaluate the performance of the Company’s operations exclusive of certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period.

The following table reconciles reported income and reported diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders to adjusted income and diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30, 2017     September 30, 2016  
     Income     EPS     Income     EPS  
     US $ Millions, except per share data  

Income from continuing operations

   $ 904       $ 894    

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (65       (67  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Income from continuing operations attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders

   $ 839     $ 0.45     $ 827     $ 0.44  

Impairment and restructuring charges

     21       0.01       137       0.07  

Equity affiliate adjustments(a)

     19       0.01       41       0.02  

Other, net

     72       0.04       11       0.01  

Tax provision

     (43     (0.02     (74     (0.04

Rounding

     -       -       -       0.01  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As adjusted

   $             908     $             0.49     $             942     $             0.51  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Equity earnings of affiliates for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were adjusted to remove from Sky’s results 21st Century Fox’s share of both Sky’s purchase price amortization related to its acquisition of the Direct Broadcast Satellite businesses from the Company and restructuring costs and to remove from Endemol Shine Group’s results 21st Century Fox’s share of both Endemol Shine Group’s debt revaluation costs and restructuring costs.

 

 

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