Home / Featured / 21st Century Fox Earnings Release for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2016

21st Century Fox Earnings Release for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2016

21st_Century_Fox_logoTwenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (“21st Century Fox” or the “Company” — NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX) today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

The Company reported quarterly income from continuing operations attributable to stockholders of $827 million ($0.44 per share), as compared to $678 million ($0.34 per share) reported in the prior year quarter. Excluding the net income effects of Other, net and adjustments to Equity earnings of affiliates, including adjustments related to Sky plc (“Sky”) and Endemol Shine Group, adjusted quarterly earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to shareholders1 was $0.51 versus $0.38 reported in the same quarter of the prior year.

The Company reported total quarterly revenues of $6.51 billion, a $429 million, or 7%, increase from the $6.08 billion of revenues reported in the prior year quarter. This increase primarily reflects higher affiliate and advertising revenues generated at our Cable Network Programming segment and higher content revenues generated at the Filmed Entertainment segment. The adverse impact of foreign exchange rates impacted quarterly revenue growth by $77 million.

Quarterly total segment OIBDA2 of $1.79 billion increased by $256 million, or 17%, from the $1.54 billion reported in the prior year quarter. This increase was due to higher contributions from both the Company’s Filmed Entertainment and Cable Network Programming segments. The adverse impact of foreign exchange rates impacted quarterly OIBDA growth by $42 million, or 3% in total.

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

“We delivered a strong quarter, growing our earnings by double digits on solid revenue gains. Whether it was Fox News rating #1 in basic cable, the 27 primetime Emmy Awards between FX Networks and FOX Broadcasting, producing 3 of the top 5 scripted shows on television, or our robust international growth, we demonstrated strong operational momentum across our global businesses.”

______________________________

See page 13 for a reconciliation of reported income and earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to stockholders to adjusted income and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to stockholders, which may be considered non-GAAP financial measures.

Total segment operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”) may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See page 11 for a description of total segment OIBDA and for a reconciliation from revenues to total segment OIBDA and from total segment OIBDA to income from continuing operations attributable to stockholders.

REVIEW OF SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS

Three Months Ended September 30,
20162015
US $ Millions
Revenues:
Cable Network Programming$3,810$3,464
Television1,0381,049
Filmed Entertainment1,9071,785
Other, Corporate and Eliminations(249)(221)
Total revenues$6,506$6,077
Segment OIBDA:
Cable Network Programming$1,384$1,306
Television191196
Filmed Entertainment311149
Other, Corporate and Eliminations(95)(116)
Total Segment OIBDA(a)$1,791$1,535

(a)

Total segment OIBDA may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See page 11 for a description of total segment OIBDA and for a reconciliation from revenues to total segment OIBDA and from total segment OIBDA to income from continuing operations attributable to stockholders. Page

CABLE NETWORK PROGRAMMING

Cable Network Programming quarterly segment OIBDA increased 6% to $1.38 billion, driven by a 10% revenue increase on higher affiliate and advertising revenues partially offset by a 12% increase in expenses. The increase in expenses was primarily due to higher international sports programming costs in Latin America and India due to the broadcast of the Rio Olympics, higher Major League Baseball sports rights costs at the regional sports networks (“RSNs”) and higher entertainment programming costs at FX Networks. The Cable Network Programming segment first quarter results also included revenue and costs of approximately $85 million related to the inclusion of results from the National Geographic non-channels businesses, which were acquired in November 2015. Foreign exchange fluctuations, primarily in Latin America, adversely impacted segment OIBDA growth by 2%.

Domestic affiliate revenue increased 8% reflecting continued contractual rate increases led by the RSNs, FX Networks, FS1, and Fox News Channel. Domestic advertising revenue grew 6% over the prior year period reflecting higher ratings and pricing at Fox News. Domestic OIBDA contributions increased 9% over the prior year quarter led by higher contributions from FS1 and Fox News.

International affiliate revenue increased 8% driven by strong local currency growth of 16%, with double digit growth reported at both Fox Networks Group International (“FNGI”) and STAR India, partially offset by negative currency impacts from the strengthened U.S. dollar. International advertising revenue increased 6% as local currency growth of 11% led by STAR India was partially offset by negative currency impacts from the strengthened U.S. dollar. Quarterly OIBDA at the international cable channels decreased 7% from the prior year quarter primarily reflecting higher sports programming costs at FNGI and STAR India due to the broadcast of the Rio Olympics and the negative impact of foreign exchange.

TELEVISION

Television generated quarterly segment OIBDA of $191 million which was 3% lower than the prior year’s corresponding result. Quarterly segment revenues were 1% lower than the prior year quarter as lower advertising revenues, reflecting a market shift in advertising spending towards the Rio Olympics and the absence of the prior year broadcasts of the Emmy Awards and the FIFA Women’s World Cup final, were offset by higher retransmission consent revenues, higher local political advertising spending at the Television stations and higher content revenues at the FOX Broadcast Network.

FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

Filmed Entertainment quarterly segment OIBDA of $311 million more than doubled from the $149 million reported in the same period a year-ago. The OIBDA increase was driven primarily by increased contributions from the film studio reflecting lower theatrical releasing costs, the worldwide theatrical performance of Independence Day: Resurgence, the home entertainment performance of Deadpool and higher contributions from the television production business led by the subscription video-on-demand licensing of Homeland to Hulu LLC (“Hulu”). Quarterly segment revenues increased $122 million to $1.91 billion, primarily reflecting higher television production revenue.

REVIEW OF EQUITY EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES’ RESULTS

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

Three Months Ended
September 30,
% Owned20162015
US $ Millions
Sky39%(1)$97$110
Other equity affiliatesVarious(2)(62)(75)
Total equity earnings of affiliates$35$35

(1) Please refer to Sky’s earnings releases for detailed information.

(2) Primarily comprised of Endemol Shine Group, Hulu and Tata Sky

Quarterly equity earnings of affiliates of $35 million were equal to the amount reported in the same period a year-ago as improved results at Endemol Shine Group and Tata Sky were offset by lower equity earnings for Sky and increased losses at Hulu. The decrease in equity earnings from Sky was a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Pound Sterling.

OTHER ITEMS

Share repurchases

On August 3, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $3 billion of Class A Common Stock, excluding commissions. The Company does not have a timeframe over which the buyback authorization is expected to be completed. The authorization may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 16 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $410 million. As a result of the stock repurchase program, diluted weighted average common stock outstanding of 1.86 billion declined 7% from the 2.01 billion in the prior year. As of the end of the quarter, the Company’s remaining buyback authorization was $3.2 billion representing approximately $240 million under the fiscal 2016 authorization and $3 billion under the fiscal 2017 authorization.

To receive 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 Daylight 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.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30,
20162015
US $ Millions, except per share amounts
Revenues$6,506$6,077
Operating expenses(3,864)(3,673)
Selling, general and administrative(866)(889)
Depreciation and amortization(135)(128)
Equity earnings of affiliates3535
Interest expense, net(300)(295)
Interest income99
Other, net(148)(83)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense1,2371,053
Income tax expense(343)(313)
Income from continuing operations894740
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(6)(3)
Net income888737
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(67)(62)
Net income attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders$821$675
Weighted average shares:1,8632,012
Income from continuing operations attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders per share:$0.44$0.34
Net income attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders per share:$0.44$0.34

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 2016June 30, 2016
Assets:US $ Millions
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$4,681$4,424
Receivables, net6,0996,258
Inventories, net3,3003,291
Other841976
Total current assets14,92114,949
Non-current assets:
Receivables, net465389
Investments3,9123,863
Inventories, net7,3967,041
Property, plant and equipment, net1,6691,692
Intangible assets, net6,7156,777
Goodwill12,73912,733
Other non-current assets809749
Total assets$48,626$48,193
Liabilities and Equity:
Current liabilities:
Borrowings$454$427
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities3,4383,181
Participations, residuals and royalties payable1,5731,672
Program rights payable1,3451,283
Deferred revenue612505
Total current liabilities7,4227,068
Non-current liabilities:
Borrowings19,03419,126
Other liabilities3,7803,678
Deferred income taxes2,7822,888
Redeemable noncontrolling interests553552
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value1111
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value88
Additional paid-in capital12,23212,211
Retained earnings3,7413,575
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(2,185)(2,144)
Total Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders’ equity13,80713,661
Noncontrolling interests1,2481,220
Total equity15,05514,881
Total liabilities and equity$48,626$48,193

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended September 30,
20162015
US $ Millions
Operating activities:
Net income$888$737
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(6)(3)
Income from continuing operations894740
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization135128
Amortization of cable distribution investments1520
Equity-based compensation4286
Equity earnings of affiliates(35)(35)
Cash distributions received from affiliates26
Other, net14883
CLT20 contract termination costs(420)
Deferred income taxes and other taxes(12)175
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:
Receivables86(144)
Inventories net of program rights payable(343)(516)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(51)(332)
Other changes, net99(96)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations980(305)
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment(53)(34)
Investments in equity affiliates(6)(86)
Other investments(63)(163)
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations(122)(283)
Financing activities:
Borrowings3791
Repayment of borrowings(105)(119)
Repurchase of shares(467)(1,889)
Dividends paid and distributions(54)(56)
Other financing activities, net(19)8
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations(608)(1,965)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations(6)(7)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents244(2,560)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year4,4248,428
Exchange movement on cash balances13(38)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$4,681$5,830

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Three Months Ended September 30,
20162015
US $ Millions
Revenues:
Cable Network Programming$3,810$3,464
Television1,0381,049
Filmed Entertainment1,9071,785
Other, Corporate and Eliminations(249)(221)
Total revenues$6,506$6,077
Segment OIBDA:
Cable Network Programming$1,384$1,306
Television191196
Filmed Entertainment311149
Other, Corporate and Eliminations(95)(116)
Total Segment OIBDA$1,791$1,535
Depreciation and amortization:
Cable Network Programming$82$74
Television2930
Filmed Entertainment2020
Other, Corporate and Eliminations44
Total depreciation and amortization$135$128

CONSOLIDATED REVENUES BY COMPONENT

Three Months Ended September 30,
20162015
US $ Millions
Affiliate fees$2,923$2,686
Advertising1,5911,599
Content1,8691,725
Other12367
Total revenues$6,506$6,077

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, which 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: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, 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 revenues to total segment OIBDA and from total segment OIBDA to Income from continuing operations attributable to stockholders:

Three Months Ended September 30,
20162015
US $ Millions
Revenues$6,506$6,077
Operating expenses(3,864)(3,673)
Selling, general and administrative(866)(889)
Add: Amortization of cable distribution investments1520
Total Segment OIBDA1,7911,535
Amortization of cable distribution investments(15)(20)
Depreciation and amortization(135)(128)
Equity earnings of affiliates3535
Interest expense, net(300)(295)
Interest income99
Other, net(148)(83)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense1,2371,053
Income tax expense(343)(313)
Income from continuing operations894740
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(67)(62)
Income from continuing operations attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. stockholders$827$678
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
US $ Millions
RevenuesOperating and

Selling, general

and administrative

expenses

Add: Amortization

of cable

distribution

investments

Segment OIBDA
Cable Network Programming$3,810$(2,441)$15$1,384
Television1,038(847)191
Filmed Entertainment1,907(1,596)311
Other, Corporate and Eliminations(249)154(95)
Consolidated Total$6,506$(4,730)$15$1,791
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
US $ Millions
RevenuesOperating and

Selling, general

and administrative

expenses

Add: Amortization

of cable

distribution

investments

Segment OIBDA
Cable Network Programming$3,464$(2,178)$20$1,306
Television1,049(853)196
Filmed Entertainment1,785(1,636)149
Other, Corporate and Eliminations(221)105(116)
Consolidated Total$6,077$(4,562)$20$1,535

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 stockholders excluding the net income effects of Equity affiliate adjustments and Other, net and tax provision effects (“adjusted income and diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to 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 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 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 stockholders to adjusted income and diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016September 30, 2015
IncomeEPSIncomeEPS
US $ Millions, except per share data
Income from continuing operations$894$740
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(67)(62)
Income from continuing operations attributable to stockholders$827$0.44$678$0.34
Equity affiliate adjustments(a)410.02540.03
Other, net1480.08830.04
Tax provision(74)(0.04)(60)(0.03)
Rounding0.01
As adjusted$942$0.51$755$0.38

(a)

Equity earnings of affiliates for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was adjusted to remove from Sky’s results 21st Century Fox’s share of Sky’s purchase price amortization related to its acquisition of the Direct Broadcast Satellite (“DBS”) businesses from the Company and from Endemol Shine Group’s results 21st Century Fox’s share of Endemol Shine Group’s debt revaluation costs. Equity earnings of affiliates for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was adjusted to remove from Sky’s results 21st Century Fox’s share of Sky’s purchase price amortization related to its acquisition of the DBS businesses from the Company and from Endemol Shine Group’s results 21st Century Fox’s share of Endemol Shine Group’s debt revaluation and other discrete costs.

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