EX-99.1 8 dex991.htm FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. Financial Statements

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


    For the six months
ended December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 3,943     $ 3,380     $ 6,832     $ 6,138  

Expenses:

                                

Operating

     2,812       2,489       4,660       4,275  

Selling, general and administrative

     337       289       664       608  

Depreciation and amortization

     42       44       81       86  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     752       558       1,427       1,169  

Other (expense) income:

                                

Interest expense, net

     (70 )     (15 )     (136 )     (23 )

Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates

     (29 )     (2 )     (126 )     5  

Other, net

     39       (7 )     39       19  
    


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes and minority interest in subsidiaries

     692       534       1,204       1,170  

Provision for income tax expense on a stand-alone basis

     (259 )     (203 )     (448 )     (436 )

Minority interest in subsidiaries, net of tax

     (2 )     (1 )     (5 )     (3 )
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 431     $ 330     $ 751     $ 731  
    


 


 


 


Basic and diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.44     $ 0.36     $ 0.77     $ 0.81  
    


 


 


 


Basic and diluted weighted average number of common equivalent shares outstanding

     974       905       974       902  
    


 


 


 


 

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

 

1


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share and per share amounts)

 

     At
December 31,
2004


  

At

June 30,
2004


     (unaudited)    (audited)

Assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 161    $ 122

Accounts receivable, net

     3,964      3,002

Filmed entertainment and television programming costs, net

     3,515      3,193

Investments in equity affiliates

     8,077      8,194

Property and equipment, net

     1,236      1,247

Intangible assets

     8,400      8,400

Goodwill

     4,782      4,758

Other assets and investments

     1,113      1,132
    

  

Total assets

   $ 31,248    $ 30,048
    

  

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:

             

Liabilities:

             

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 1,706    $ 1,566

Participations and residuals payable

     1,754      1,395

Television programming rights payable

     1,001      1,102

Deferred revenue

     353      318

Borrowings

     153      659

Deferred income taxes

     2,182      2,063

Other liabilities

     591      735
    

  

       7,740      7,838

Due to affiliates of News Corporation

     4,724      4,236
    

  

Total liabilities

     12,464      12,074
    

  

Minority interest in subsidiaries

     9      7

Commitments and contingencies

             

Shareholders’ Equity:

             

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31 and June 30, 2004

     —        —  

Class A Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 426,959,080 shares issued and outstanding at December 31 and June 30, 2004

     4      4

Class B Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 650,000,000 shares authorized; 547,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31 and June 30, 2004

     6      6

Additional paid-in capital

     15,082      15,081

Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income

     3,683      2,876
    

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     18,775      17,967
    

  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 31,248    $ 30,048
    

  

 

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

 

2


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

 

    

For the six months

ended December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 751     $ 731  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     81       86  

Amortization of cable distribution investments

     58       63  

Equity losses (earnings) of affiliates

     126       (5 )

Cash distributions received from investees

     3       3  

Other, net

     (39 )     (19 )

Minority interest in subsidiaries, net of tax

     5       3  

Deferred taxes

     120       110  

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

                

Accounts receivable and other assets

     (966 )     (824 )

Filmed entertainment and television programming costs, net

     (393 )     (428 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     67       15  

Participations and residuals payable and other liabilities

     359       185  
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     172       (80 )
    


 


Investing activities:

                

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (23 )     (5 )

Investments in and acquisition of interests in equity affiliates

     (33 )     (73 )

Other investments

     (26 )     (30 )

Purchases of property and equipment, net of acquisitions

     (62 )     (50 )

Expenses related to sale of business

     (12 )     —    

Proceeds from sale of investments in equity affiliates

     43       —    

Disposals of property and equipment

     2       —    
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (111 )     (158 )
    


 


Financing activities:

                

Borrowings

     —         338  

Repayment of borrowings

     (507 )     (276 )

Decrease in minority interest in subsidiaries

     (3 )     1  

Decrease in Preferred Interests

     —         (26 )

Advances from affiliates of News Corporation, net

     488       170  
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (22 )     207  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     39       (31 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     122       72  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 161     $ 41  
    


 


 

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

 

3


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

 

Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. (the “Company”) is principally engaged in the development, production and worldwide distribution of feature films and television programs, television broadcasting and cable network programming. The Company is a majority-owned subsidiary of News Corporation which, as of December 31, 2004, held equity and voting interests in the Company of approximately 82% and 97%, respectively.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with US 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, 2005.

 

These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Certain fiscal 2004 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2005 presentation.

 

The Company follows the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and in accordance with its provisions, applies the intrinsic value method set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”

 

The following table reflects the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions for stock-based employee compensation. These pro forma effects may not be representative of future amounts since the estimated fair value of stock options on the date of grant is amortized to expense over the vesting period and additional options may be granted in future years.

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


    For the six months
ended December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (in millions, except per share data)  

Net income, as reported

   $ 431     $ 330     $ 751     $ 731  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (15 )     (17 )     (30 )     (34 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 416     $ 313     $ 721     $ 697  
    


 


 


 


Basic and diluted earnings per share:

                                

As reported

   $ 0.44     $ 0.36     $ 0.77     $ 0.81  

Pro forma

   $ 0.43     $ 0.35     $ 0.74     $ 0.77  

 

4


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 2 – Comprehensive Income

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” total comprehensive income for the Company consists of the following:

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


   For the six months
ended December 31,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

     (in millions)    (in millions)

Net income, as reported

   $ 431    $ 330    $ 751    $ 731

Other comprehensive income:

                           

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     46      34      56      34
    

  

  

  

Total comprehensive income

   $ 477    $ 364    $ 807    $ 765
    

  

  

  

 

Note 3 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” This standard will require the cost of employee compensation paid with equity instruments to be measured based on grant-date fair values. That cost will be recognized over the vesting period. SFAS No. 123(R) will become effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. An illustration of the impact on the Company using a Black-Scholes option valuation methodology is presented in Note 1 – Basis of Presentation.

 

In October 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act provides for a special one-time tax deduction of 85% for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated, as defined in the Act. In December 2004, the FASB issued a FASB Staff Position, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (“FSP FAS 109-2”). FSP FAS 109-2 allows companies additional time to evaluate the effect of the Act as to whether unrepatriated foreign earnings continue to qualify for the SFAS No. 109 exception regarding non-recognition of deferred tax liabilities and would require explanatory disclosures from those who need the additional time. Through December 31, 2004, the Company has not provided deferred taxes on substantially all of the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries since substantially all such earnings were expected to be permanently invested in foreign operations but has started an evaluation of the effects of the repatriation provision. Whether the Company will ultimately take advantage of this provision depends on a number of factors, including reviewing future Congressional or Treasury Department guidance, before a determination can be made. The range of possible amounts that the Company is considering for repatriation under this provision is up to approximately $300 million. The related potential range of income tax is up to approximately $20 million.

 

5


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 4 – Filmed Entertainment and Television Programming Costs, net

 

Filmed entertainment and television programming costs, net consisted of the following at:

 

     December 31,
2004


   June 30,
2004


     (in millions)

Filmed entertainment costs:

             

Films:

             

Released (including acquired film libraries)

   $ 689    $ 734

Completed, not released

     109      125

In production

     496      545

In development or preproduction

     67      52
    

  

       1,361      1,456
    

  

Television productions:

             

Released (including acquired libraries)

     411      449

Completed, not released

     —        13

In production

     220      112

In development or preproduction

     1      1
    

  

       632      575
    

  

Total filmed entertainment costs, less accumulated amortization

     1,993      2,031

Television programming costs, less accumulated amortization

     1,522      1,162
    

  

Total filmed entertainment and television programming costs, net

   $ 3,515    $ 3,193
    

  

 

6


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 5 – Borrowings

 

In May 2004, the Company ended the transfer term under the New Millennium II Agreement, the Company’s film financing vehicle, and will no longer draw any borrowings under the facility. In accordance with the terms of the termination, the Company will repay $636 million of the facility in fiscal 2005 and $23 million in fiscal 2006. During the six months ended December 31, 2004, the Company repaid $507 million of the facility. At December 31, and June 30, 2004, $153 million and $659 million, respectively, remained outstanding and were included in Borrowings on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding interest expense was included in Interest expense, net in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Subsequent to December 31, 2004, the Company repaid principal of $83 million of the facility.

 

Note 6 – DIRECTV Transaction

 

On December 22, 2003, the Company acquired a 34% interest in Hughes Electronics Corporation (“Hughes”) for total consideration of approximately $6.8 billion from News Corporation. News Corporation transferred its entire 34% interest in Hughes to the Company in exchange for two promissory notes totaling $4.5 billion and approximately 74.5 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock valued at $2.3 billion (the “Exchange”). One of the promissory notes the Company issued to News Corporation is in the amount of $2 billion, bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1% per annum, and matures on June 30, 2009. The other promissory note the Company issued to News Corporation is in the amount of $2.5 billion, bears interest at 8% per annum, and has a maturity date of June 30, 2009, which can be extended at the Company’s option for not more than two successive one-year periods. The issuance of approximately 74.5 million shares of Class A common stock to News Corporation increased its equity interest in the Company from approximately 81% to approximately 82% while its voting power remained at approximately 97%. For financial reporting purposes, in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force No. (“EITF”) 90-5, “Exchanges of Ownership Interest between Entities under Common Control,” the Company recognized the Exchange based upon the acquired basis of News Corporation and issued equity to News Corporation at that value. The Company is accounting for its interest in Hughes in accordance with APB No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.”

 

Subsequent to the above transaction, Hughes changed its corporate name to The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (“DIRECTV”).

 

Investments in equity affiliates primarily reflects the Company’s investment in DIRECTV and includes the excess of fair value over the Company’s proportionate share of DIRECTV’s underlying net assets at December 22, 2003 as adjusted to record such net assets at fair value, most notably the adjustment to the carrying value of DIRECTV’s SPACEWAY and PanAmSat businesses and assets and its deferred subscriber acquisition costs. This excess, approximately $3.6 billion, has been allocated to finite-lived intangibles, which are being amortized over lives ranging from 6-20 years, and to certain indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill, which are not subject to amortization in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

Summarized financial information for DIRECTV accounted for under the equity method is as follows:

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


    For the six months
ended December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (in millions)  

Revenues

   $ 3,362     $ 2,754     $ 6,224     $ 5,133  

Operating losses

     (437 )     (177 )     (1,987 )     (169 )

Loss from continuing operations before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting changes

     (283 )     (307 )     (1,209 )     (309 )

Net losses

     (283 )     (310 )     (1,292 )     (333 )

 

At December 31, 2004, the fair market value of the Company’s investment in DIRECTV was $7,691 million.

 

7


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 – DIRECTV Transaction - continued

 

The Company’s share of DIRECTV’s losses for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was $176 million and includes the Company’s share of DIRECTV’s increased loss from its sale of PanAmSat resulting from a reduction in the sales proceeds, the Company’s portion of the SPACEWAY program impairment and the amortization of certain finite-lived intangibles.

 

Note 7 – Other Acquisitions and Disposals

 

In December 2003, the Company sold its 50% direct ownership interests in SportsChannel Chicago Associates (“SportsChannel Chicago”) and SportsChannel Pacific Associates (“SportsChannel Bay Area”) (collectively the “SportsChannels”) to subsidiaries of Regional Programming Partners (“RPP”) for consideration of $150 million. This consideration was paid in the form of two three-year promissory notes issued by the subsidiaries of RPP, which own only the acquired interests in the SportsChannels, in an aggregate principal amount of $150 million and bearing interest at prime plus 1% per annum. The notes are secured by a pledge of 100% of the interests in SportsChannel Bay Area. Upon the close of this sale, the SportsChannels are held 100% by RPP and indirectly 60% by Rainbow Media Sports Holdings, Inc. and 40% by the Company. The Company recognized a net gain on the sale of the SportsChannels of $9 million, which was reflected in Other, net in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2003.

 

In December 2003, the Company acquired News Broadcasting Japan, a cable and satellite channel in Japan, from News Corporation for net consideration of approximately $38 million based upon an independent valuation. The Company acquired this entity to expand its international cable channel ownership. At December 31, 2003, the net purchase price of $38 million was included in Due to affiliates of News Corporation and the Company recorded the net assets acquired at News Corporation’s historical cost of $8 million. The excess $30 million of purchase price was recorded as a reduction to Retained earnings in accordance with EITF 90-5.

 

In February 2004, the Company sold the Los Angeles Dodgers (“Dodgers”), together with Dodger Stadium and the team’s training facilities in Vero Beach, Florida and the Dominican Republic, to entities owned by Frank McCourt (the “McCourt Entities”). The gross consideration for the sale of the Dodgers franchise and real estate assets was $421 million, subject to further adjustment. The consideration at closing was comprised of (i) $225 million in cash, (ii) a $125 million two-year note secured by non-team real estate, (iii) a $40 million four-year note secured by bank letters of credit and (iv) a $31 million three-year note that is convertible, at the Company’s option, into preferred equity in the McCourt Entities if unpaid at maturity. The Company has agreed to remit $50 million during the first two years following the closing of the transaction to reimburse the McCourt Entities for certain pre-existing commitments. Pending the final determination of contractual adjustments, the sale resulted in an estimated loss of $19 million, which was recorded in Other, net in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

In May 2004, the Company sold its 40% interest in the Staples Arena for aggregate consideration of $128 million. The Company recorded a loss on the sale of the interest in the Staples Arena of approximately $7 million in Other, net for the year ended June 30, 2004. In connection with the sale of this interest, the Company was released from several guarantees in the aggregate amount of $22.6 million outstanding at the time of the sale.

 

In December 2004, the Company sold its 20% investment in Rogers Sportsnet to Rogers Broadcasting Limited for $41 million. Rogers Sportsnet operates regional sports networks in Canada covering local sports events plus national programming. For the six months ended December 31, 2004, the Company recognized a gain of $39 million on this sale in Other, net in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations.

 

8


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 8 – Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

The Company sponsors non-contributory pension plans and retiree health and life insurance benefit plans covering specific groups of employees. The benefits payable for the non-contributory pension plans are based primarily on a formula factoring both an employee’s years of service and pay near retirement. Participant employees are vested in the plans after five years of service. The Company’s policy for all pension plans is to fund amounts, at a minimum, in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. During the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company made discretionary contributions of $49 million and $25 million, respectively, to its pension plans. Plan assets consist principally of common stocks, marketable bonds and government securities. The retiree health and life insurance benefit plans offer medical and/or life insurance to certain full-time employees and eligible dependents that retire after fulfilling age and service requirements.

 

The components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits

    Postretirement Benefits

     For the three months ended December 31,

     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

     (in millions)

Service cost benefits earned during the period

   $ 9     $ 9     $ —       $ 2

Interest costs on projected benefit obligation

     9       8       2       2

Expected return on plan assets

     (10 )     (6 )     —         —  

Amortization of deferred losses

     3       5       —         1

Other

     —         (1 )     (1 )     —  
    


 


 


 

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 11     $ 15     $ 1     $ 5
    


 


 


 

     Pension benefits

    Postretirement benefits

     For the six months ended December 31,

     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

     (in millions)

Service cost benefits earned during the period

   $ 18     $ 18     $ 1     $ 5

Interest costs on projected benefit obligation

     18       16       3       4

Expected return on plan assets

     (20 )     (13 )     —         —  

Amortization of deferred losses

     6       10       1       2

Other

     —         (1 )     (3 )     —  
    


 


 


 

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 22     $ 30     $ 2     $ 11
    


 


 


 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits Amendments

 

The fiscal 2005 postretirement net periodic costs reflect plan amendments implemented during the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

 

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (“the Medicare Act”) was signed into law. The Medicare Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (Medicare Part D) and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retirement health care plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. In accordance with FASB Staff Position 106-1, the Company elected to defer recognizing the effects of the Medicare Act on the accounting for its retirement health care plans in fiscal 2004. In May 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 106-2, providing final guidance on accounting for the Medicare Act. FASB Staff Position 106-2 was implemented by the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The adoption of FASB Staff Position 106-2 did not have a material impact on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company in fiscal 2005, but reduced the Company’s Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation (“APBO”) by approximately $5 million. The amortization of the $5 million reduction in APBO will reduce our future net postretirement benefit cost.

 

9


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 9 – Segment Information

 

The Company manages and reports its activities in four business segments:

 

    Filmed Entertainment, which principally consists of the production and acquisition of live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in all formats in all entertainment media worldwide, and the production of original television programming in the United States and Canada.

 

    Television Stations, which principally consists of the operation of 35 full power broadcast television stations, including nine duopolies, in the United States. Of these stations, 25 are affiliated with the FOX network, nine with the UPN network and one is an independent station.

 

    Television Broadcast Network, which principally consists of the broadcasting of network programming in the United States.

 

    Cable Network Programming, which principally consists of the production and licensing of programming distributed through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators in the United States.

 

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 measures are segment Operating income and Operating income before depreciation and amortization.

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


   For the six months
ended December 31,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

     (in millions)

Revenues:

                           

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 1,879    $ 1,384    $ 3,263    $ 2,634

Television Stations

     571      571      1,085      1,089

Television Broadcast Network

     858      860      1,240      1,254

Cable Network Programming

     635      565      1,244      1,161
    

  

  

  

Total revenues

   $ 3,943    $ 3,380    $ 6,832    $ 6,138
    

  

  

  

 

Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and the amortization of cable distribution investments, eliminates the variable effect across all business segments of non-cash 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 Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization. Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization is a non-GAAP measure and it should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and the items excluded from Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, such as depreciation and amortization, are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance.

 

Management believes that Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business segments. Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, which is the information reported to and used by the Company’s chief decision maker for the purpose of making decisions about the allocation of resources to segments and assessing their performance, provides management, investors and equity analysts a measure to analyze operating performance of each business segment and enterprise value against historical and competitors’ data, although historical results, including Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, may not be indicative of future results as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors including customer tastes and preferences.

 

10


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 9 – Segment Information - continued

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


    For the six months
ended December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (in millions)  

Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization:

                                

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 419     $ 275     $ 725     $ 620  

Television Stations

     290       289       526       526  

Television Broadcast Network

     (152 )     (128 )     (156 )     (169 )

Cable Network Programming

     265       198       471       341  
    


 


 


 


Total operating income before depreciation and amortization

     822       634       1,566       1,318  

Amortization of cable distribution investments

     (28 )     (32 )     (58 )     (63 )

Depreciation and amortization

     (42 )     (44 )     (81 )     (86 )
    


 


 


 


Total operating income

     752       558       1,427       1,169  

Interest expense, net

     (70 )     (15 )     (136 )     (23 )

Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates

     (29 )     (2 )     (126 )     5  

Other, net

     39       (7 )     39       19  
    


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes and minority interest in subsidiaries

     692       534       1,204       1,170  

Provision for income tax expense on a stand-alone basis

     (259 )     (203 )     (448 )     (436 )

Minority interest in subsidiaries, net of tax

     (2 )     (1 )     (5 )     (3 )
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 431     $ 330     $ 751     $ 731  
    


 


 


 


 

Interest expense, net, Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates, Other, net, Provision for income tax expense on a stand-alone basis and Minority interest in subsidiaries, net of tax are not allocated to segments, as they are not under the control of segment management.

 

     For the three months ended December 31, 2004

 
     Operating
income (loss)
before
depreciation
and
amortization


    Depreciation
and
amortization


    Amortization of
cable
distribution
investments


   

Operating
income

(loss)


 
     (in millions)  

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 419     $ (13 )   $ —       $ 406  

Television Stations

     290       (12 )     —         278  

Television Broadcast Network

     (152 )     (7 )     —         (159 )

Cable Network Programming

     265       (10 )     (28 )     227  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 822     $ (42 )   $ (28 )   $ 752  
    


 


 


 


 

11


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 9 – Segment Information - continued

 

     For the three months ended December 31, 2003

 
     Operating
income (loss)
before
depreciation
and
amortization


    Depreciation
and
amortization


    Amortization of
cable
distribution
investments


    Operating
income
(loss)


 
     (in millions)  

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 275     $ (15 )   $ —       $ 260  

Television Stations

     289       (13 )     —         276  

Television Broadcast Network

     (128 )     (5 )     —         (133 )

Cable Network Programming

     198       (11 )     (32 )     155  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 634     $ (44 )   $ (32 )   $ 558  
    


 


 


 


     For the six months ended December 31, 2004

 
     Operating
income (loss)
before
depreciation
and
amortization


    Depreciation
and
amortization


    Amortization of
cable
distribution
investments


    Operating
income
(loss)


 
     (in millions)  

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 725     $ (25 )   $ —       $ 700  

Television Stations

     526       (24 )     —         502  

Television Broadcast Network

     (156 )     (12 )     —         (168 )

Cable Network Programming

     471       (20 )     (58 )     393  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 1,566     $ (81 )   $ (58 )   $ 1,427  
    


 


 


 


     For the six months ended December 31, 2003

 
     Operating
income (loss)
before
depreciation
and
amortization


    Depreciation
and
amortization


    Amortization of
cable
distribution
investments


    Operating
income
(loss)


 
     (in millions)  

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 620     $ (27 )   $ —       $ 593  

Television Stations

     526       (29 )     —         497  

Television Broadcast Network

     (169 )     (9 )     —         (178 )

Cable Network Programming

     341       (21 )     (63 )     257  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 1,318     $ (86 )   $ (63 )   $ 1,169  
    


 


 


 


 

Intersegment revenues, generated primarily by the Filmed Entertainment segment, of approximately $137 million and $190 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and approximately $305 million and $342 million for the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, have been eliminated within the Filmed Entertainment segment. Intersegment operating profits, generated primarily by the Filmed Entertainment segment, of approximately $10 million and $12 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and approximately $26 million and $32 million for the six months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, have been eliminated within the Filmed Entertainment segment.

 

12


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 9 – Segment Information - continued

 

     At
December 31,
2004


  

At

June 30,
2004


     (in millions)

Total assets:

             

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 5,449    $ 4,680

Television Stations

     11,185      11,247

Television Broadcast Network

     1,530      1,064

Cable Network Programming

     5,007      4,863

Investments in equity affiliates

     8,077      8,194
    

  

Total assets

   $ 31,248    $ 30,048
    

  

Goodwill and Intangible assets:

             

Filmed Entertainment

   $ 445    $ 445

Television Stations

     9,994      9,994

Television Broadcast Network

     —        —  

Cable Network Programming

     2,743      2,719
    

  

Total goodwill and intangible assets

   $ 13,182    $ 13,158
    

  

 

13


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 10 – Commitments and Guarantees

 

Commitments

 

In November 2004, the Company entered into a six-year follow-on contract with the National Football League commencing with the 2006 season, increasing the Company’s commitments with respect to sports programming rights by approximately $4.3 billion.

 

In November 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with the Bowl Championship Series from fiscal 2007 through fiscal 2010, increasing the Company’s commitments with respect to sports programming rights by approximately $330 million.

 

Guarantees

 

The Company, News Corporation and certain of News Corporation’s other subsidiaries are guarantors of various debt obligations of News Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries. The principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under such debt instruments as of December 31, and June 30, 2004 was approximately $11 billion and $10 billion, respectively. The debt instruments limit the ability of guarantors, including the Company, to subject their properties to liens, and certain of the debt instruments impose limitations on the ability of News Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries, including the Company, to incur indebtedness in certain circumstances. Such debt instruments mature at various times between 2005 and 2096, with a weighted average maturity of 20 years.

 

In August 2004, News Corporation, along with the Company and certain of News Corporation’s other subsidiaries, issued a guarantee for the obligations of Sky Brasil, an equity affiliate of News Corporation, under a $210 million three-year credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank and Citibank NA. In October 2004, News Corporation and DIRECTV announced a series of transactions that will result in the reorganization of the companies’ direct-to-home satellite television platforms in Latin America. As part of these transactions, DIRECTV will acquire News Corporation’s interests in Sky Brasil, the completion of which is subject to regulatory approval, and will assume all of News Corporation’s obligations thereof, including those under the credit agreement guaranteed by the Company at closing. Given the strong financial position of the other guarantors, the Company believes it is highly unlikely it will be required to perform any of the obligations under the guarantee.

 

In the case of any event of default under such debt obligations, the Company will be directly liable to the creditors or debtholders. News Corporation has agreed to indemnify the Company from and against any obligations it may incur by reason of its guarantees of such debt obligations. As of December 31, 2004, News Corporation was in compliance with all of its debt covenants and had satisfied all financial ratios and tests and expects to remain in compliance and satisfy all such ratios and tests.

 

Note 11 - Other, net

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


    For the six months
ended December 31,


 
     2004

   2003

    2004

   2003

 
     (in millions)     (in millions)  

Sale of interest in Rogers Sportsnet b

   $ 39    $ —       $ 39    $ —    

Sale of interest in the SportsChannels b

     —        —         —        9  

World Trade Center Insurance Settlement a

     —        —         —        26  

Loss on the sale of the Dodgers b

     —        (7 )     —        (16 )
    

  


 

  


Other, net

   $ 39    $ (7 )   $ 39    $ 19  
    

  


 

  



FOOTNOTES

a Amount represents a gain related to the settlement of the Company’s insurance claim primarily for its broadcast tower at the World Trade Center in New York.
b Refer to Note 7 – Other Acquisitions and Disposals for further details on these transactions.

 

14


FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 12 – Subsequent Events

 

On January 10, 2005, Fox Acquisition Corp, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of News Corporation, made an offer to the holders of Class A common stock of the Company to exchange 1.90 shares of News Corporation’s Class A common stock for each outstanding share of the Company’s Class A common stock validly tendered and not withdrawn in the exchange offer (the “Offer”). News Corporation currently owns approximately 82% of the equity and 97% of the voting power of the Company through its ownership of approximately 59% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and 100% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B common stock. The Offer is subject to the non-waivable condition that at least a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock not beneficially owned by News Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates are validly tendered and not withdrawn in the Offer as well as certain other conditions set forth in the Offer documents. The Offer will expire on February 22, 2005, unless it is extended by News Corporation. If News Corporation completes the Offer, it intends to effect a “short form” merger of the Company with and into Fox Acquisition Corp shortly thereafter. Each share of the Company’s Class A common stock not acquired in the Offer, other than the shares owned by News Corporation, would be converted in the “short form” merger into 1.90 shares of News Corporation’s Class A common stock.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors formed a Special Committee which, on January 24, 2005, requested that the Company’s stockholders take no action and not tender their Class A shares with respect to the Offer at the current time and instead defer making a determination whether to accept or reject the Offer until the Special Committee has advised the Company’s stockholders of the Special Committee’s position or recommendation, if any, with respect to the Offer.

 

Certain Legal Proceedings

 

On January 10, 2005, the Company received complaints relating to a number of purported class actions filed in Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware. The complaints generally allege, among other things, that News Corporation and the members of the Company’s board of directors have breached fiduciary duties owed to the public stockholders of the Company, including as a result of News Corporation offering to acquire shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at an unfair price and at a time that disadvantages the Company’s stockholders. The complaints generally seek, declaratory and injunctive relief and damages in an unspecified amount. The Company believes that these claims are without merit and intends to vigorously contest the allegations.

 

The Company is currently aware of seventeen purported class action complaints that have been filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware challenging the Offer. The Delaware complaints are captioned: Allen v. News Corp., et al., No. 979-N; Mascarenhas v. Fox Entm’t. Group, et al., No. 980-N; Shemesh v. Fox Entm’t. Group, et al., No. 981-N; Striffler v. FEG Holdings, et al., No. 982-N; Howard Vogel Ret. Plan v. Powers, et al., No. 984-N; Doniger v. News Corp., et al., No. 985-N; Engle v. Murdoch, et al., No. 986-N; Shrank v. Murdoch, et al., No. 988-N; Blackman v. Fox Entm’t. Group, et al., No. 991-N; Fishbone v. News Corp., et al., No. 994-N; Kennel v. News Corp., et al., No. 995-N; Millner v. News Corp., et al., No. 996-N; Pipefitters Locals v. Fox Entm’t. Group, et al., No. 1003-N; Molinari v. News Corp., et al., C.A. No. 1018-N; Seaview Services v. Fox Entertainment, et al., C.A. No. 1026-N; Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana v. Powers, et al., C.A. No. 1033-N; and New Jersey Building Laborers’ Pension Fund v. Powers, et al., C.A. No. 1034. The Shrank action, No. 988-N, was voluntarily dismissed on January 19, 2005. The Company is also currently aware of two purported class action complaints raising substantially similar claims that have been filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. The New York complaints are captioned: Shrank v. Murdoch, et al., Index No. 600114/2005; and Green Meadows Ptr. v. Fox Entertainment, et al., No. 100706/2005. On January 21, 2005, certain plaintiffs in the Delaware lawsuits filed a motion that seeks to consolidate the Delaware actions. In addition, News Corporation has filed motions to dismiss and to stay discovery, and the plaintiffs have filed a motion for expedited proceedings. On February 3, 2005, the Court of Chancery denied News Corporation’s motion to stay discovery, and granted the plaintiffs’ motion for expedited discovery and motion to consolidate.

 

All of the complaints generally allege, among other things, that News Corporation and the members of the Company’s board of directors purportedly breached fiduciary duties owed to the public stockholders of the Company in connection with the Offer by: (1) offering to acquire their shares at an unfair price; (2) offering to acquire their shares at a time that disadvantages the public stockholders; (3) having the Company appoint directors who are neither independent nor disinterested to a special committee created to consider the Offer; and (4) failing to adequately disclose information material to the Offer, including disclosure with respect to the Company’s 2005 budget.

 

As for relief, the plaintiffs seek, among other things: (1) an order that the complaints are properly maintainable as a class action; (2) a declaration that defendants have breached their fiduciary duties and other duties to the plaintiffs and other members of the purported class; (3) injunctive relief; (4) unspecified monetary damages; (5) attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses; and (6) such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. The Company believes that these claims are without merit and intends to vigorously contest these allegations.

 

15